Benefits Of Vitamin A In Reducing Melanoma Risk

Promising findings on reducing melanoma risk have come from a new study that has found that one of the benefits of vitamin a supplements might be to offer protection against disfiguring, dangerous and sometimes deadly melanoma. Despite this, researchers are not suggesting you start taking vitamin A supplements, as this nutrient can be dangerous in high doses.

Vitamin A is found naturally in foods like carrots, eggs, milk, liver, spinach and sweet potatoes and plays a key role in our vision, bone health, reproduction, cell division and differentiation as well as helping to manage the immune system.

It's also known to help the skin and mucous membranes stay strong and keep out both bacteria and viruses. Surveys have found that most Americans get enough vitamin A in the diet, and deficiencies in this country are rare.

The researchers looking for a link between vitamin A and melanoma examined melanoma risk for 69,635 subjects who were 62 years old on average. After a period of six years, 566 had been diagnosed with melanoma.

For the 59,000 subjects who had never taken vitamin A supplements there were 506 melanomas, but for the 5,800 who were taking supplements and had used them regularly over the past decade, there were just 28 cases.

In fact, those who got additional vitamin A through supplements had almost a 40% less chance to be diagnosed with melanoma as those who didn't take such supplements.

The strange thing is, it was only the supplements that lowered the risk, not getting the nutrient from foods.

The reduced risk was more significant in women compared to men, and the protection was greatest in parts of the body that have frequent exposure to the rays of the sun. Women may benefit more than men because they are more susceptible to skin damage from UV radiation than men are.

The researchers are emphatic that the reduction in melanoma was associated with the supplements not the nutrient obtained from the diet. They know this because the protective benefits were only seen in those who were taking on board more vitamin A than can be found in commercially available multivitamin formulas.

And it was only the vitamin A, not carotenoids that brought the lower risk of melanoma. A carotenoid is a precursor (converted by the body as needed) to vitamin A - beta-carotene or lycopene may be names you know.

Other experts, not involved in the work, aren't surprised that vitamin A offers some protection against melanoma. The thing is, experts are quick to warn that the findings are preliminary and that excessive amounts vitamin A is a dangerous thing; it can bring serious risks such as birth defects, lower bone mineral density or liver toxicity, as well as troublesome symptoms like dry skin or hair loss.

The National Institutes of Health recommends a daily intake of 700 micrograms of vitamin A for women and 900 micrograms for men. Taking over 2,800 micrograms can lead to toxic symptoms.

Researchers speculate that supplements of this nutrient might have a place in high risk patients such as those who are fair skinned, have a history of sunburn or a lot of moles on their skin. For the rest of us, if you're concerned about skin cancer, be smart about the sun and supplement with a multivitamin that has the benefits of vitamin A as one of many nutrients. These people should also avoid the sun, use sun protection consistently and have an annual skin exam by a dermatologist.

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Vitamin D3, The "Sunshine" Vitamin

It's been said that "more" is better, but with regards to sunshine that "more" has been proven to have results we do not need. Sunshine is a vital part of our lives and to not have it means serious health problems. Too much or too little sunshine can lead to serious problems both inside the body and outside on the skin. While it's not always practical to depend on sunshine, it's difficult in our diets to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins it gives us. In these cases a vitamin supplement is needed.

Science has proven that the many benefits from taking a vitamin D supplement are practical. It is helpful in regulating blood pressure, boosting immunity, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. In addition to its role in bone metabolism, vitamin D has shown to help prevent or help a verity of cancers. Limited amounts of this vitamin can be obtained from the ultraviolet rays in sunshine, and a few minutes a day are sufficient while too many tends to destroy the vitamin and its benefits.

When you are young, getting skin cancer from too much sun can seem to be a small price to pay for that "fun in the sun" time. Some skin cancers take time to develop, but years later as we age we find ourselves having to go to a skin specialist to try to correct the damage we have received from too much sun. Limiting our time in the sun and being sure our skin is protected is necessary, and a vitamin D supplement will provide us with many internal and external health benefits.

Sometimes the cure for a disease can be worse than the disease itself, and this is often the case with cancer, both internal and external. Vitamin D studies show that this vitamin is important for preventing and treating many types of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the safest way of getting vitamin D is from food or supplements, not the sun.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays have been linked to skin cancer, skin aging and eye damage in the elderly who have a reduced ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. There are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. The UVA rays are the rays that burn our skin while UVB rays pass through the outer skin layers and cause problems internal to the body.

Sunlight is our normal source for vitamin D and overexposure has been directly related to skin cancer. Currently there are several questions being asked as to the value of sunscreens, do they really block the ultraviolet rays and if so, do they also block the vitamin D from getting into the body. There are more than 2 million cases of serious skin cancer reported a year in the United States, and almost 20% of Americans will develop some form of skin cancer over their lifetime.

Fair skinned people need to take vitamin D supplements, and of the various types available, vitamin D3 has been found to be the most beneficial. It is estimated that 37% of people in the United States are currently taking vitamin D, but there is still an overwhelming majority that are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. Some study's have shown that people with higher rates of vitamin D in their blood have been found to have lower rates of skin cancer.

Vitamin D3 Tablets provide all the health benefits this vitamin has proven to offer. Vitamin D is known as "the sunshine vitamin" for its ability to be helpful with many health benefits normally obtained through the sun. It has shown positive results in dealing with cancer and various skin conditions among its other accomplishments. These tablets are a dietary supplement as diets alone only account for very little vitamin D found in the blood.

Evelyn and Don are co-owners of Ladies Hair Care By ED where they offer a selection of all natural health & beauty products. With over 50 years as a licensed cosmetologist, Evelyn has selected the best all natural organic/herbal hair, health & skin care supplements available. Visit them at http://www.ladieshaircarebyed.com/ and discover the products they have to offer.

Vitamin D3 Tablets

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Vitamin D Facts Tell Us We Receive Health Benefits From The Sunshine Vitamin

The following Vitamin D facts tell us that the real connection between skin cancer and ultraviolet rays is overexposure. Our body produces Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the rays of natural sunlight. The beneficial rays of natural sunlight cannot penetrate glass. In our home or in a car, we cannot receive the beneficial Vitamin D from the sun.

It is very difficult to receive adequate amounts of Vitamin D from our diet. Sunlight is the most reliable way. It would take at least ten large glasses of Vitamin D fortified milk daily just to get a very minimum level of supply. The further you live from the equator, the longer sun exposure is needed to generate Vitamin D. Canada, the UK and most US states are far from the equator.

If you have dark pigmented skin you may need 20 to 30 times as much exposure as fair skinned people to generate the same amount of Vitamin D. Because of this sunlight deficiency, prostrate cancer is prevalent among black men.

A sufficient level of Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of calcium in your intestines. A deficiency of this vitamin renders calcium supplements useless. A chronic deficiency of Vitamin D takes months of supplementation and sunlight exposure to reverse and rebuild your bones and nervous system.

One of the Vitamin D facts that most people wouldn't suspect is that overuse of sunscreen blocks your body's ability to generate Vitamin D by 95%. This can create a deficiency and actually cause disease. Note that I said "overuse of sunscreen", as sunscreen and protective clothing are necessary beyond a certain amount of exposure.

It is impossible to generate too much Vitamin D into your body from exposure to the sun. Your body will naturally only generate what it needs. A word of caution is that beyond this point you are overexposing yourself to the UV rays and this is when damage occurs on your skin.

Press on your sternum firmly and if it hurts, you may be suffering from a chronic Vitamin D deficiency right now. Before your body can use Vitamin D it is activated by your kidneys and liver. If you have kidney disease or liver damage, the ability of your body to activate Vitamin D may be greatly impaired. Vitamin D from natural sunlight is one of the most healing influences in your body and it is absolutely free.

Again, if you're unable to obtain enough sunlight exposure, do take good quality Vitamin D supplements along with any other vitamin/mineral supplements you may need. Any qualified holistic doctor could help to determine any deficiencies in your body.

Knowing these Vitamin D facts early on in life and carrying them throughout your lifetime would be a wise decision for anyone. So receive the health benefits of Vitamin D without being afraid. Just be sensible.

Gary Harmon is a 20 year survivor of stage III squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. So, much of what he says comes from his own experiences. If you want to learn more about skin cancer visit his website at http://www.skin-cancer-experiences.com/. If you have any personal experience with skin cancer at any stage, you may share it here. To learn about the point when benefits from sun exposure stop and damage begins, Click Here.

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Sunscreens Prevent Melanoma But Watch the Vitamin D

Daily use of sunscreens can prevent melanoma in adults according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on December 8 2010. The trial involved 1621 randomly selected participants and was conducted between 1992 and 1996. Half the group applied the sunscreen every day and the other half were left to apply it when they felt it necessary.The participants were examined 15 years later and the number of people who developed melanomas in the group that rigidly applied sunscreen every day was only half that of the group who were allowed to apply sunscreen whenever the thought necessary.

How to use sunscreens

First of all avoid the summer sun for 4 hours around midday if possible. This is between 10am and 2pm. Adjust for daylight saving if it is in your area. Always apply sunscreen to cool dry skin. This means applying before you go out in the sun and allow to dry before sun exposure (15 minutes should be sufficient). Applying sunscreen at the beach when you are standing in the sun and already have beads of perspiration on the skin is NOT the way to get the sunscreen to adhere to the skin. Every two hours come into the shade, cool down, dry off and re-apply and allow to dry before going out in the sun.

Always choose a sunscreen with a rating of 30+. Some sunscreens have higher ratings but are required by law to only show a lower value. The value means that you can theoretically stay in the sun 30 times longer without developing sunburn.

I STRESS that this is a theoretical rating only and would only apply in ideal laboratory conditions. In practice we go into the water so a little is washed off (how much depends on how dry it was before we entered the water). Then we come out of the water and towel dry. This will often rub off any remaining sunscreen. Hence the need to re-apply.

Then we come to the but...

Preventing the suns rays from reaching the skin also prevents the body from making adequate amounts of Vitamin D3. This occurs with both clothing in cooler months and sunscreens in the summer months. Low levels of Vitamin D3 have been associated with increased risk of colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. Adequate levels of Vitamin D3 also help protect against melanoma.

So too little is bad for you, too much is worse

The happy medium... An exact amount of exposure has not been worked out and it is complicated by the various skin types, The indications are at the moment that 2-8 minutes every day total body exposure (swimsuit for birthday suit) is enough.

Because of the uncertainty and the seriousness of getting it wrong many people are now opting for supplementation i.e Vitamin D3 in a capsule form. The best source I have found is Metagenics which you can obtain through your Natural Health Practitioner or if you are in Australia you can contact me by email jeff@weightmanagementaustralia.com.au and I will arrange for a delivery to you from the manufacturer.

Jeff Sommers is a Pharmacist and Bowen Therapist who has studied natural health solutions for many diseases.
Preventing disease is far preferable to treating disease and adopting a healthy lifestyle based on eating correctly, exercise and supplements is the key to a longer more productive life. More information can be obtained at http://www.weightmanagementaustralia.com.au/

Original article

Does Vitamin D Fight Skin Cancer?

Researchers have been studying the benefits of vitamin D in fighting several types of cancers; such as colon, prostate and breast cancers. However, Vitamin D and skin cancer have a very interesting relationship since vitamin D is only produced naturally when our skin is exposed to the sun.

While there isn't a cure for any cancer at this time, there are numerous vitamins and nutrients that can lower the risks of getting cancer to begin with. Over the past few years, researchers have been studying the effects of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important part in our bodies ability to strengthen bones and muscles, our nerves need it to send signals throughout the body, and most importantly, our immune system uses vitamin D to fight off viruses and bacteria. There is currently no solid link of vitamin D fighting any of these types of cancers, it plays a part in lowering the risks of contracting them.

Vitamin D is created in our bodies through the skin. When direct sunlight hits the skin, it helps to synthesize the production of Vitamin D. This creates an interesting problem. We know there is a connection between too much exposure to the suns ultra violet rays and developing skin cancer over time. So the one way we can naturally produce Vitamin D to help prevent other cancers is the same process that contributes to us contracting another type of cancer.

An alternative is to take Vitamin D supplements or consume fortified foods such as milk and cereals. We're better to protect our skin from the harm of the sun by using sun screens. Not only does this avoid the long term risk of skin cancer, but it prevents the short term trouble of painful sunburns. If you are staying out of the sun, but not consuming any Vitamin D, be mindful of any Vitamin D deficiency symptoms.

Robert Zinderbaan is a nutrition expert promoting healthy lifestyles and optimal nutrition. Learn more about the benefits of Vitamin D and the key Vitamin D deficiency symptoms from NutritionCrossroads.

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Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency - Avoiding the Sun for Fear of Skin Cancer?

One of the main causes of vitamin D deficiency would be a lack of sufficient exposure to the sunlight.

Many suffer from a lack of vitamin D for this reason. This vitamin often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" can also be obtained from other sources such as foods rich in vitamin D or through dietary supplementation.

But let's face it, how many people really have knowledge of what foods to eat for vitamin D or any other vitamins and minerals?

Avoiding the sun for fear of cancer could be a large mistake, especially if you are avoiding it completely.

Doctors of natural medicine throughout the country recommend that children and adults need far more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) set by the food and drug administration (FDA) for optimum health.

In actuality, avoiding the sun and creating a deficiency could be playing a factor in what causes skin cancer as well as other cancers and chronic disease.

In order to avoid the causes of vitamin D deficiency one needs to be concerned about nutrition throughout the year. There's no difference between the importance of vitamin D than the importance's of any other necessary nutrients in our body. Any deficiency of any nutrient results in a weakening of the immune system.

So how do you avoid these causes of deficiency?

When it comes to vitamin D, start by not being afraid of the sun and most importantly on the other hand, never overdo it. Moderation is your key. Think in terms of 5-30 minutes of exposure.

Personally, I limit my time unprotected to a very short time because I have had stage 3 skin cancer and have received heavy radiation treatments. That makes me more vulnerable. For those of you in generally better condition at less risk, it's OK to go longer, but I'll always stress don't overdo it and never sunburn.

As the four seasons change, so may you have to change your source of vitamin D. You still need it all throughout the year.

In the summer the sun is the best source, just remember to use a good sunscreen and protective clothing when you have to be in it longer than you should.

Spring, fall and winter, eat as many vitamin D rich foods that you can and take a good whole food vitamin D supplement daily or as needed. Find a good quality whole food multivitamin and mineral supplement. You do need all of your vitamins.

I pinpoint vitamin D because avoiding the sun in fear of skin cancer is one of the biggest causes of vitamin D deficiency.

You'll find more information about vitamin D and skin cancer on my website.

Gary is a 20 year survivor of stage III squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. So, much of what he says comes from his own experiences. If you want to learn more about skin cancer visit http://www.skin-cancer-experiences.com/vitamin-d-facts.html or just go to http://www.skin-cancer-experiences.com/

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Skin Cancer Versus Your Bodies Need for Vitamin D Considered

When sunlight hits your skin your body begins to produce vitamin D, this is very important for your body, and those who are vitamin D deficient can end up with all sorts of illnesses. Your body works better when it has sunlight, and that shouldn't surprise anyone because humans have evolved living on the surface of the planet along with the Sun. Of course, there are those who are light-skinned and burn very easily, and this is not good for you, as it can cause skin cancer due to free radicals forming.

Some skin cancers are very dangerous and deadly, and therefore one has to decide what ratio of getting Sun is healthy, and how much sun do you actually need? If you are lighter skinned you will burn much easier, and this can be critical and serious. But if you don't get the vitamin D you need it will be hard to maintain your health, and to remain with a positive outlook on life, as vitamin D does affect the brain, and prevent depression. Those who are depressed also can more easily attract a disease, illness, virus, or more easily attract an ailment.

Doctors obviously recommend that you wear some sort of sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time. There are some days when there are solar flares, and even gamma radiation from space weather which can cause more free radicals quicker than on other days. Although you may not understand why this matters, it actually does. A nice warm sunny day could be a somewhat dangerous day during a big solar flare.

Completely avoiding the sun because you are afraid of getting skin cancer may be a serious mistake even if you are very fair skinned. It makes sense to talk to a dermatologist, or do a little reading of actual medical research online to determine what the best ratio and mix is for you. Some take vitamin D supplements, but they are not all the same. There is more than one type of vitamin D, and therefore it matters which type of vitamin D you are getting in your food or vitamins supplements.

If skin cancer runs in your family, or you have very fair skin, it makes sense to develop a proper strategy for yourself, all the while realizing that the sun is good for you, and the proper amount of sunlight helps not only with your circadian rhythm, but also your body's vitamin D production. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,333 articles by May 26, 2011 is difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

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Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements Reduce Melanoma Risk Factors

Good news for women with high melanoma risk factors, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. You might reduce your chances of developing it by 50% by ensuring you get enough vitamin D and calcium supplements according to some promising new research.

Doctors know that increased risk of this form of cancer comes from already having a non-melanoma (basil or squamous cell) skin cancer. Researchers on the study believe the findings are quite encouraging in terms of preventing melanoma in a population classed as high-risk.

Calcium and vitamin D are known for playing a part in the growth of bones, but they do affect other cells of the body as well. Some research has also shown that these two bone helpers are tied to a lower risk of breast, colon, prostate and other types of cancers.

400 IU (international units) of vitamin D is all you need according to the researchers. Whereas, the U.S. IOM (Institute of Medicine) suggests 600 IU daily.

The theory suggests that skin cancer cells lay in wait to form into a melanoma, but taking calcium and vitamin D, in the right amounts, might keep them from growing into a tumor.

Calcium has shown itself to be able to minimize tumor growth in those who have colon cancer. The researchers also noted that an earlier study they saw vitamin D supplementation cutting the chances of melanoma in older men.

For the current work, the team gathered information on over 36,200 women aged between 50 to 80 years who were taking part in the Women's Health Initiative study. To determine if calcium and vitamin D had an effect on broken hips or cancer of the colon, the subjects were assigned to take either supplements or a placebo. The supplements included 1,000 mg of calcium along with 400 International Units of vitamin D.

Over the next seven-years, the women who took the supplements and had a non-melanoma skin cancer cut their chances of developing a dangerous melanoma by a whopping 57% compared to subjects who did not receive the supplements. The reduction did not come for those who hadn't already suffered with a non-melanoma skin cancer.

From figures released by National Cancer Institute in America, 68,000 plus people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in the U.S. It's thought that lots of sun exposure in your youth ups your chances for developing for non-melanoma skin cancer. However, sunlight also has a role in vitamin D synthesis. The thinking goes that increasing your vitamin D levels naturally might help your skin cells from becoming cancerous. The role of calcium is not yet fully understood.

More work needs to be done to see if the results appear in men or younger women. The team also plans to test vitamin D and calcium compounds on cancer cells directly.

In the meantime, if you're at risk of skin cancer or not, getting enough vitamin D is important for keeping yourself healthy. You can get this important nutrient from foods like fatty fish and dairy, exposure to natural sunlight (not during peak hours of course) or taking daily supplements.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to find out more about the steps you can take to minimize your melanoma risk factors.

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