Vitamin D Can Prevent Disease
MSNBC --- December 17, 2008 -- Bigger doses of a common vitamin could save your life, and a California organization is spreading the word about the power of vitamin D.
"The sun is our most natural source. It's how our bodies were made to get it," said Carole Baggerly of GrassrootsHealth. - Baggerly is talking about vitamin D.
How the right amount of it can help prevent some very serious diseases, including heart disease, type-one diabetes, colon cancer, and breast cancer. Baggerly helped organize a conference on how to diagnose and treat vitamin D deficiency. Doctors say there are more than 2,000 studies showing the benefits of proper levels of vitamin D.
"Such as making cells stick together better. And when cells stick together better, they tend to be less likely to become malignant," said public health expert Dr. Cedric Garland. Baggerly says drinking more milk or eating fish high in vitamin D will not solve the problem. Experts say sunlight, a few minutes a few times a week, over much of the body, will help. And supplements are often necessary, because many people now get just one-tenth of the recommended daily amount. Baggerly says a simple blood test is a key to preventing low levels of vitamin D. It can be done at home, you should discuss the results with your doctor, because boosting your vitamin D could help you avoid a deadly disease.
