Breast cancer can happen to anyone – which is why it becomes doubly important to guard against it! While routine checks help, it is your daily health regimen that really helps lower the risk of breast cancer.
Studies have shown that there is one vital vitamin for breast cancer prevention and that small amounts of this in your daily life can decrease risks of getting the disease by as much as 70%!
Vitamin D and Breast Cancer
Studies over the years have shown the link between vitamin D and the occurrence of cancer in the body, specifically breast cancer. These studies show that women who have low amounts of vitamin D are more likely to develop breast cancer. This applies in particular to menopausal women. Maintaining roughly 40ng/ml in their body, however, can significantly lower their cancer risk by 77 percent.
These results were achieved through studies conducted by Joan Lappe and Robert Heaney in 2007. Their study included introducing vitamin D to menopausal women, resulting in a significant decrease in the chance of contracting the disease. While breast cancer was the primary focus of the study, it was revealed that vitamin D managed to lower the risk for ALL kinds of cancer.
ALSO READ: 12 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency (and How to Get More)
Vitamin D Sources
Vitamin D’s main function is to help the body absorb calcium. It is, therefore, essential for excellent bone and teeth health. An additional effect of the vitamin is its ability to boost immune levels, significantly contributing towards cancer prevention.
The question now is: where do you get vitamin D to take advantage of this benefit?
Following are some of the best-known sources of vitamin D:
- Sunshine is perhaps the most well-known source of vitamin D. The best time for sunshine exposure is at dawn when the sun rays aren’t so harsh on the skin yet. Even then, studies show that even 10 minutes of peak sun exposure 3 times a week would be enough to provide excellent results. Note though that using UV lotion is still recommended, especially for those with lighter skin. Make sure to opt for organic, chemical-free sunscreen or why not make your own. Click here for a full tutorial.
- There are supplements today that also help boost vitamin D levels without requiring you to get a tan. Before supplements are taken, it’s important to first find out your current vitamin D serum level. This is important because people produce different levels of vitamin D in their body. A simple blood test will tell you how much you need to get the desired effects.
- There is no single vitamin-D packed food since you can find the vitamin in small amounts throughout numerous food sources. Some of the more common ones include salmon, sardines, oysters, herring, and catfish.
- For those who don’t really like fish, you can also take a teaspoon of fish oil per day to meet your vitamin D requirements. Certain food types also offer small amounts of vitamin D. These include: milk, yogurt, soy milk, and orange juice.
An active lifestyle combined with a balanced diet and routine checks should help women prevent the most detrimental effects of breast cancer. Women who have a family history of the same are advised to be more intensive with their health maintenance.
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Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
