Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Good (Medical) News

Today’s Globe and Mail reports that, “increasing daily intake of vitamin D could prevent the development of breast cancer by as much as half and that of colorectal cancer by nearly two-thirds.”

Hurray! Finally, something that I am already taking. I don’t have to ponder the pros and cons of adding it to my “drug” stash or rush out to some health food store to find some rare, trendy nutritional supplement.

Canada’s new (as of Monday) Food Guide recommends only 400 IU daily.

These researchers recommend 2,000 IU daily in addition to spending between 10 and 15 minutes in the sun every day — “weather permitting.”

“Weather permitting” is a key phrase here. When I brave the cold in this northern climate, I do so bundled up. What little sunshine there is can’t permeate my layers of winter attire.

Check this link for further details. (And it’s a honkin’ long link. Hope I typed it correctly.)

(Admonition — always check with your doctor before adding any kind of supplement to your diet.)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmmmm, interesting, I'll have to check the vitamin D amount on my multi-vitamin.

Beth said...

coffee mom: You're young but it's never too early (for a woman) to get the proper amount of Vitamin D and Calcium for bone density. I think those tests start at forty.

Angel said...

"weather permitting"...ya right....it's cold in my HOUSE, let alone outside! ;)

Beth said...

beth: I hear you. During this cold snap, I've cranked up every heat source in this house (which is unusual for me) and my hands are still freezing...

Anonymous said...

Vitamin D is something us northerners are usually lacking. I am also trying to increase my calcium...never too early to start that.

Now if we could just do something about that sun.

Anonymous said...

Funny you would choose this topic. My darling husband read the entire article to me last night. So we will stock up! I probably need EVERY vitamin "under the sun" haha.

Beth said...

trish: Start increasing your Vitamin D and Calcium before you're told you have to! I thought the amount of milk I drank and the calcium I got from food was enough. Uh-uh.


msp: If I took every supplement recommended (vitamin or otherwise) I'd be popping pills all day - only to find out months later the research findings were in error or that there are dire consequences.
But the article we're talking about sounds pretty convincing.

Anonymous said...

Does this mean there is something to be said for topless sunbathing? You know, getting that vitamin D right to the area in question.

Beth said...

adrienne:
What a mind you have! Straight to the point (so to speak...)
You try the topless thing and let me know. No way, no how my "area in question" is going to see the light of day!

Unknown said...

Must ... give ... wife ... vitamin D ...

Anonymous said...

In regards to the topless sunbathing - I wouldn't suggest it as a way to battle cancer, any positive effects coming from the sun will probably be balanced out by those nasty cancer causing UV rays. But that's old news and i'm just a bored science student checking my mom's blog.

Beth said...

anonymous:
Hello there, anonymous - otherwise revealed as one of my kids. And to anyone who regularly reads this blog, you have also been revealed as my youngest son.
Thanks for your input - now get back to your "boring" science studies!!

Beth said...

dorky dad:
Give it to her in pill form - forget the nude sunbathing! That would be for your benefit.