Sunlight / Vitamin D against cancer
Sunlight / Vitamin D against
cancer
To prevent cancer, everyone should
bare off and take the noon-day sun
for several minutes every day
However, not so long that you burn (or even turn
pink),
and also go out WITHOUT a hat, sunblock, glasses or sunglasses
Risk of developing several cancers increases with
the latitude of where you live (i.e. the less sun you get in your location, the higher your risk for
cancer). Including Hodgkin's
lymphoma, colon, pancreatic, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer.
Holick MF. High prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy
and implications for health. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81:353-73.
Maintaining a sufficiency of vitamin
D
in your blood protects against
several common cancers. 25(OH)D (CALCIDIOL, precursor to
active vitamin D) levels<20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) are
associated with a 30 - 50% higher risk of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. A
recent review of vitamin D in the prevention
of colorectal cancer concluded that a
CALCIDIOL
level of 36 ng/mL (90 nmol/L) provided optimal protection against the
development of colorectal neoplasia
Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B.
Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple
health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84:18-28.
Vitamin D
deficiency linked to cancer back in the 1930's -
A study of US navy personnel linking internal cancers with a lack of exposure to the sun / vitamin D deficiency was
published in 1937.
Since then several studies have shown a lower risk for
cancer for those living in sunnier states, at higher latitudes UV-B availability),
and in rural areas
Vitamin D has well-defined anti-cancer
mechanisms
CALCITRIOL
(the
active form of vitamin D) regulates cell growth
and maturation. Exposing the skin to the sun's
UV-B radiation produces
vitamin D in the body, and it has been
consistently demonstrated that activation of the
vitamin D receptor by CALCITRIOL reduces
cancer risk via fairly well defined mechanisms, which prevent cells from
becoming malignant:
Induces cell differentiation Reduces metastasis by restoring
normal proliferation and increasing cancer cell apoptosis
(natural cell death) Inhibits angiogenesis
(new blood supply lines) to cancer cells
Mantell DJ et al, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and
in vivo, Circ Res 2000; 87:214-220][van den Bemd and Chang, 2002;
Giovannucci E. The
epidemiology of vitamin D and cancer incidence and mortality: a review (United
States). Cancer Causes Control 2005;16:83-95].
CrossRef
Medline
Web of
Science
Enhances calcium absorption (in colorectal/colon
cancer)
Lamprecht and Lipkin, 2003
Sunshine Exposure (UVB) protects against various types of cancer
The cancers most strongly linked to low levels of VITAMIN D are:
Breast
Colon / Colorectal
Lung
Prostate cancer
Increased vitamin D3 levels could prevent 250,000 cases
of colorectal cancer and 350,000 cases of breast cancer worldwide each year.
According to researchers from the Moores
Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), especially in
countries north of the equator (150,000 cancer cases in the U.S. could be
prevented). Protective effects began when blood
CALCIDIOL (25(OH)D)
levels ranged from 24 -32 ng/ml. In the U.S., late winter
25(OH)D
levels ranged from only 15 - 18 ng/ml. Previous research has shown optimal cancer prevention value
to be ~55 ng/ml.
Researchers concluded that an Intake of 2000 IU/day of
Vitamin D3, and very moderate exposure to
sunlight (when possible), could raise serum 25(OH)D to 52 ng/ml -a level
associated with a 50% reduction in breast cancer incidence, according to
observational studies.
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology March 2007;
103(3-5):708-11
U.S. study found 16 types of cancer (primarily epithelial, relating to
surface)
cancers of the digestive and reproductive systems
to be inversely correlated to UVB exposure. These cancers
included
breast, endometrial, esophageal, ovarian, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate,
bladder, gallbladder, gastric, pancreatic, rectal and renal cancers;
In males approximately 80%
of the cancers attributable to low regional solar
UV-B were digestive-system
cancers
Other cancer correlations.
10 types of cancer were significantly correlated with smoking, 6 types with
alcohol, and 7 types with Hispanic heritage. Poverty status was inversely
correlated with 7 types of cancer. Since the results for alcohol, Hispanic heritage, and smoking for white
Americans agree well with the literature
(Trapido et al., 1995; Thun et al., 2002),they provide
a high level of confidence in the study's approach and results for UVB radiation
Grant WB. An estimate of premature
cancer mortality in the U.S. due to inadequate doses of solar ultraviolet-B
radiation.Cancer 2002 94 1867-75.
Averaged annual solar radiation inversely
correlated to mortality from digestive cancers (but not other
cancers)
in Japan. - i.e. Esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, and gallbladder
and bile ducts -
It is interesting that
UV-B exposure makes a difference, since
Japan's high fish consumption, would ensure high levels of dietar y
vitamin D ;
Mizoue T. Ecological study of solar
radiation and cancer mortality in Japan. Health Phys 2004;87:532-8
A Norwegian study shows that breast, colon, and prostate cancer detection
has a seasonal cycle correlated with
vitamin D production by sunlight - the study also
shows that vitamin D effectively fights cancer even in the later
stages.
Robsahm TE, et al, Vitamin D(3) from sunlight may improve the prognosis of
breast-, colon- and prostate cancer (Norway). Cancer Causes Control.
2004;15:149-58
Low exposure to
UV-B increased the risk of
endometrial cancer in one study
Preventive Medicine February 4, 2007
Cancer rates vary with geographic location
More sunlight reduces colon cancer mortality.
The key to understanding this geographic pattern was provided by Cedric and
Frank Garland in 1980. They reasoned that sunlight, through the production of
vitamin D, reduced the risk of colon cancer in the sunny areas compared to that
in the darker areas. They performed an ecologic study of annual solar irradiance
versus colon cancer mortality rates and found a strong inverse correlation, i.e.
the more sunlight, the less cancer. (An ecologic study treats entire populations
defined geographically as entities, with values for disease outcome and
environmental or dietary factors averaged for each entity.)
Garland CF, Garland FC. Do sunlight and vitamin D reduce the likelihood of colon
cancer? Int J Epidemiol. 1980;9:227-31.
In 1941, Dr. Frank Apperly demonstrated an
association between latitude and cancer mortality
Apperly FL. The relation of solar radiation to cancer mortality in North
American. Cancer Res 1941;1:191-5
U.S. cancer mortality rates higher in Northeast than Southwest.
An explanation
involving environmental factors is required to explain why mortality rates for a
number of internal cancers are ~ twice as high in northeast's highly-urbanized
states than in the southwest's more rural states.
Devesa SS, Grauman DJ, Blot WJ, Pennello GA, Hoover RN, Fraumeni JF Jr., Atlas
of Cancer Mortality in the United States, 1950-1994. NIH Publication No.
99-4564, 1999.
Smoking
and diet are known risk factors for cancer neither of which vary significantly
throughout mainland U.S.
Doll R, Peto R. The causes of cancer: quantitative estimates of avoidable risks
of cancer in the United States today. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1981;66:1191-308.
Lifetime exposure to
sunlight may reduce your risk of some of the most common types of cancer.
In an analysis of death certificates from 24 U.S.
states between 1984 and 1995, National Cancer
Institute (NCI) researchers
found that people who lived in the sunniest parts of the country, and those
exposed to the most sunlight through their jobs, had significantly lower rates
of breast and colon cancer than matched controls.
People who worked
outside had 20-25 % less risk of breast and colon cancer.
Across all levels of solar radiation and even after
adjusting for physical activity level.
Study found that rural residence was
inversely correlated to breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, ovarian, and
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This
suggests that urban living is associated with reduced
UVB exposure compared to living in a rural
environment. The study estimated 45,000 Americans die from cancer annually as a
result of inadequate vitamin D levels. Of these, 22,500 urban Americans
die as a consequence of indoor lifestyle and lack of exposure to the
sun's UVB light, and another 22,500 based on residential location due to
unavailability of UVB .
Grant WB. An
estimate of premature cancer mortality in the U.S. due to inadequate doses of
solar ultraviolet-B radiation. Cancer 2002;94:1867-75
Avoiding the sun out of concern for skin cancer is causing many
MORE or other types of cancer deaths
Don't "buy" into the lie that sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer
As early as 1937, Peller and Stephenson
hypothesized that sunlight exposure lowered the risk of cancer.
A
study of US navy personnel linked those with skin cancer and actinic keratosis
with lower risk for internal cancers
Peller S,
Stephenson CS. Skin irritation and cancer in the United States Navy.
Am J Med Sci 937;194:326-33.
CrossRef Web
of Science
The campaign to
discourage sun exposure and urge the use of sun block began about 30 years ago
when dermatologists noticed that skin cancer rates were increasing, and wrongly
assumed that excess sun was causing this increase. In the 90's, already aware
that lack of sun/vitamin D could cause
rickets, scientists began to realize that vitamin D
had multiple roles in all the body's cells, and suspected that lack of
vitamin D was increasing certain cancer
rates, including breast and colon cancer.
Two studies run by the Harvard School of Public Health found that high vitamin D
levels reduced risk for colon cancer.
The
Nurse's Health Study and the Health Professionals Study (1986-2006), have been
following tens ofthousands of people for decades:
Nurse's health
study. Found that increased vitamin D
intake reduced risk of colon cancer (and hip
fracture) Health Professional
Study. Found that high plasma vitamin
D levels reduced risk
of colon cancerA 2006 Harvard study
determined that increased CALCITRIOL
plasma levels would significantly reduce cancer mortality rate
- Cancer of all types claim the
lives of 295,000 U.S. men annually, of which melanomas (the most deadly forms of
skin cancer), account for ~7000 of those lives. This study concluded that if
plasma CALCITRIOL levels were increased by 25
nmol/L it would yield an overall 29% lower cancer mortality rate (i.e., 85,550
fewer deaths). The study determined that to raise the
active vitamin D plasma levels by 25 nmol/L would require
vitamin D supplementation of at least 1500
IU/day. (Consider that a glass of milk contains only ~100 IU of
vitamin D3, and would thus increase
CALCITRIOL plasma level by only ~ 2-3 nmol/L).
Giovannucci et al, Prospective Study of
Predictors of Vitamin D Status and Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Men,
Harvard School of Public Health, J Natl Cancer Inst, 2006, Vol98, Issue7, pp
451-459
Chronic (repeated)
sunburn on skin containing free radicals, and
not sun-tanning ,
leads to skin cancer.
Melanoma rates have
increased right along with sun
avoidance Most
melanomas occur on areas least
moderate sun exposure
decreases
Kennedy C et al, The influence of painful sunburns and lifetime of sun exposure
on actinic keratoses, seborrheic warts, memlanocytic nevi, atypical nevi and
skin cancer, J Invest Derm 2003;
Garland FC, Garland CF, Occupational sunlight exposure and melanoma in the US
Navy, Arch Env Health,1990,
45:261-267;
Those who are
regularly exposed to UV radiation in their occupation have a reduced risk of
developing melanoma. This was mainly
attributed to these two factors:
Developing a tan (melanin)
that
blocks UV penetration. This prevents free radical production that
can lead to melanoma;They produce a lot
of vitamin D
Garland FC, Garland cf, Occupational sunlight exposure and melanoma in the US
Navy, Arch Env Health,1990,
45:261-267
Kennedy C et al, The influence of painful sunburns and lifetime of sun exposure
on actinic keratoses, seborrheic warts, memlanocytic nevi, atypical nevi and
skin cancer, J Invest Derm 2003;
Excessive non-melanoma
Kennedy C et al, The influence of painful sunburns and lifetime of sun exposure
on actinic keratoses, seborrheic warts, memlanocytic nevi, atypical nevi and
skin cancer, J Invest Derm 2003
In children and
young adults, moderate
ChangET,SmedbyKE, HjalgrimH,
Porwit-MacDonaldA, RoosG, Glimelius B, Adami HO. Family history of hematopoietic
malignancy and risk of lymphoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97:1466-74
Berwick M, Armstrong BK, Ben-Porat L,
Fine J, Kricker A, Eberle C, Barnhill R. Sun exposure and mortality from
melanoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97:195-9.
A study of 497
people with melanoma in and around Philadelphia and San Francisco supported
these two factors:
Amy E. Millen,
Margaret A. Tucker,
Patricia Hartge,
Allan Halpern,
David E. Elder,
DuPont Guerry IV,
Elizabeth A. Holly,
Richard W. Sagebiel ,
Nancy Potischman,
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
June 2004 13;
1042
Tobacco
and marijuana smokers who expose
themselves to sunlight tend to get skin cancer. According to Dr. Michael Gray;
Cancer is common
in those who over-consume coffee and teas (which contain toxic caffeine and
tannic acid) and expose themselves to sunlight.
Wrote Dr. Becker and D. Alexander;
Immuno-suppressant drugs may contribute to skin cancer as well as x-rays and
chemotherapy
Sunbathing actually cures
Sunbathing cures skin cancer
In the early 1940s, Frank Apperley, M.D. wrote
that sun exposure could promote immunity against cancer:
"We may be able to reduce our cancer deaths by inducing a partial or complete
immunity by exposure of suitable skin areas to sunlight"
CALCITRIOL found to be especially
affective against breast, colon, skin, ovarian and prostate cancer.
In addition
to the kidneys, it is believed that many cells can make
CALCITRIOL (the active form of vitamin D ) from CALCIDIOL
(the inactive, main circulating form of D) -E.g. colon, prostate, breast and
lung cell cultures have recently been found to express
1-OHase (the enzyme required to produce
CALCITRIOL from circulating CALCIDIOL) ;
Sunlight stabilized or improved tumors in small 1959 study.
Jane
C Wright, directing cancer research at Bellevue Memorial Medical Center in New
York City, was fascinated by the light ideas of John Ott DSc. Advised by Ott,
Dr
Wright instructed fifteen cancer patients to stay outdoors as much as
possible that summer in natural sunlight without wearing their glasses, and
particularly without sunglasses. tumours in 14 of 15 patients had not
grown, and some patients had improved th person had not benefited. He discovered
that this woman had not fully understood the instructions - while she had not
worn sunglasses, she had continued to wear her prescription glasses. This
blocking of UV into her eyes
was enough to stop the benefits enjoyed by the other fourteen.
Sunbathing helped heal
the skin cancer of Dr. Harland G. Call. His skin cancer was diagnosed by two M.D.s, one of whom was a surgeon who
recommended surgical removal. Call sunbathed the affected area and within a
short time, the skin cancer disappeared. He reported back to the M.D. who had
recommended surgical removal. When the M.D. examined him, he confirmed that the
skin cancer had disappeared without surgical removal.
A man had recurrent
skin cancer - His doctor recommended surgery . . .
Rejecting the
surgery, the man instead followed the advice of Dr. John Ott to sunbathe without
his glasses and after five months his skin cancer completely disappeared.
Sunbathing cures prostate cancer
Prostate cancer has been found to be inversely
correlated to geographic availability of sunlight and skin darkness .
Researchers, at Northern California Cancer Center
found that men with high sun exposure had half the risk of prostate cancer than
did men with low sun exposure
2005 (Jun 15th ) issue of Cancer Research
Vitamin D
at mid-range levels is growth inhibitory to prostate cells
Tuohimaa P. et al, Both high and low levels of blood vitamin D are associated
with a higher prostate cancer risk
Some studies suggest that higher circulating CALCITRIOL may be
more important than CALCIDIOL
for
protection against aggressive, poorly-differentiated prostate cancer.
Unlike colorectal tumors, prostate cancers lose the ability to
hydroxylate
CALCIDIOL
to
CALCITRIOL,
and thus
may rely on the circulation as the main source of
CALCITRIOL . Suppressing circulating
CALCITRIOL levels by calcium intake could explain why higher calcium and milk
intakes appear to increase risk of advanced prostate cancer.
Dozens of references of how vitamin D works against various cancers
The following references were compiled at mercola.com
•
[No authors listed].
Vitamin D - monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):153-64.
•
Bischoff-Ferrari HA,
Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B. Estimation of optimal
serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J
Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):18-28. Review.
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•
Cannell JJ, Hollis
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•
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Review.
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•
Grant WB, Holick MF.
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•
Holick MF. Vitamin D
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•
Martins e Silva J.
[Brief history of rickets and of the discovery of vitamin D] Acta Reumatol Port.
2007 Jul-Sep;32(3):205-29. Portuguese. (very interesting with some text in
English)
•
Norman AW.
Minireview: vitamin D receptor: new assignments for an already busy receptor.
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•
Rajakumar K, Thomas
SB. Reemerging nutritional rickets: a historical perspective. Arch Pediatr
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Cancer Studies
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•
Boscoe FP, Schymura MJ. Solar ultraviolet-B
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Cancer. 2006 Nov 10;6:264.
•
Garland CF, Garland FC, Gorham ED, Lipkin M,
Newmark H, Mohr SB, Holick MF. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. Am J
Public Health. 2006 Feb;96(2):252-61.
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•
Giovannucci E, Liu
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2006; 98:451-9.
•
Grant WB. An
estimate of premature cancer mortality in the U.S. due to inadequate doses of
solar ultraviolet-B radiation. Cancer. 2002 Mar 15;94(6):1867-75.
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reducing risk of cancer: multifactorial ecologic analysis of geographic
variation in age-adjusted cancer mortality rates. Anticancer Res. 2006
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•
John EM, Koo J,
Schwartz GG. Sun Exposure and Prostate Cancer Risk: Evidence for a Protective
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•
Moan J, Porojnicu AC, Dahlback A, Setlow RB.
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