Vitamin D helps the intestines absorb nutrients and minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Many people do not consume enough vitamin D in their diets, and people have reduced their sun exposure in order to minimize their risk of skin cancer risk. 40 to 75 percent of most adults are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to dementia and even cancer.
A study out of the University of Exeter Medical School followed the progress of over 1,000 seniors over the course of six years. Researchers found that the seniors who were most deficient in vitamin D were over twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Another study found that people with low vitamin D levels were three times more likely to develop stage three cancers.
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In this video, Dr. James Dowd describes studies that seem to link cancer risk and vitamin D levels. He points out that vitamin D appears to have a link to memory retention, and details a Creighton University study that found that vitamin D reduces the risk of any kind of cancer.
The more sun exposure a person had, the lower their risk of colon cancer was. Prostate and breast cancer were also linked to low vitamin D levels, as was lymphoma and leukemia. Check out the video to learn more about these studies.
