Depending on where in the world you are, you most probably heard of the utmost importance of Vitamin D in the human body. I most certainly have. Still, why oh why am I ignoring this issue? Again - lack of self education. So, I did it - research. And the findings are amazing.

Firstly – what exactly is Vitamin D? Not quite a vitamin like the others! Vitamin D is a metabolic product, calcitriol – a secosteroid hormone targeting over 1000 genes in the human body. It converts to a steroid hormone, making it biologically active. All 1000 genes responding to this type of conversion is responsible of the FIXING of cells, damaged by illness or free radicals. Vitamin D also operates independently in body tissues. Pretty wow stuff!!

Now, we all know that the most powerful source of Vitamin D is the sun. Here’s the controversy. We have been warned against too much sun exposure. Quite rightly, the sun causes skin cancer. But did you know – lack of Vitamin D can be the culprit in causing 17 other forms of cancer? Cancers that is more difficult to treat than skin cancer. (Please don’t get me wrong in thinking skin cancer is a walk in the park though.) Yes, unfortunately cancer like melanoma gets aggravated by ultraviolet B light, the same one with the most powerful Vitamin D. The thing is to get a balance. This might prove to be more difficult for those living in the northern hemisphere. I’ve compiled a ‘recipe’ on how to go about:

. Up on salmon and cod liver oil. They naturally contain Vitamin D - (not enough though)
. Try to get full body midday sun exposure in summer for 10 to 20 minutes.
. (Some believe that sunshine D absorbs best through closed eye-lids. I can’t conclude this)
. In winter, lie on a sun bed for 20 minutes, as often as possible.
. Use 5,000 IU supplements daily, for three months.
Then do a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, and adjust intake to 50-80ng/mL permanently.
. Use D3 – a combination of calcium and Vitamin D (also called cholecalciferol)

Fact is that sun exposure – thus Vitamin D efficiency, is good in the south, best near the equator, but worst in the north. Especially dark skinned ethnic groups in the NORTH should take very special care of their Vitamin D intake. These ethnic groups’ pigmentation genetically filters out some sunshine responses for Vitamin D. You should take supplements on a daily basis – more regularly than brushing your teeth!

Researchers are close to concluding that Vitamin D is a tool in the fight against cancer. In a clinical trial over 4 years, it has been found that the regular intake of Vitamin D, REDUCED cancer incidents by 60%. That is phenomenal!! The list of illnesses caused because of Vitamin D deficiency is very, very long. Remember to always discuss the intake of suplements with your oncologist before starting.