NEW YORK: Researchers now say higher levels of vitamin D may be necessary to reduce one's risk of cancer.Scientists in their research published in the journal Anticancer Research, noting that traditional intakes of the essential vitamin just aren't enough to reach blood levels that can prevent or significantly decrease the risk of breast cancer and several other major diseases.
"We found that daily intakes of vitamin D by adults in the range of 4,000 to 8,000 IU [international units] are needed to maintain blood levels of vitamin D metabolites in the range needed to reduce by about half the risk of several diseases -- breast cancer, colon cancer, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes," said Dr. Cedric Garland, professor of family and preventive medicine at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, in a press release.
"I was surprised to find that the intakes required to maintain vitamin D status for disease prevention were so high -- much higher than the minimal intake of vitamin D of 400 IU per day that was needed to defeat rickets in the 20th century."
To get sufficient amounts, but not too much vitamin D, Spencer recommends including salmon, milk, oranges or orange juice, egg yolk and mushrooms in your diet.