Can Vitamin D Support Breast Health? Part I of III
In spite of all that is being done to support women's breast health, it is estimated that around one in eight women, or even as much as one in three women, will develop breast cancer within their lifetime. It is one of the most common types of cancers and occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast. The result of this is damage to the DNA of the cells, which causes uncontrolled cell division and growth. The fact, however, remains that the best chance of successful recovery where this disease is concerned is early diagnosis, however on top of this we are continually presented with lifestyle choices and dietary changes that are said to decrease our risk of developing the disease. With so much contradiction and research surrounding this, how are we supposed to know which advice to follow and which to ignore?
With this month representing cancer awareness there has never been a better time to dispel the rumors and get the advice that you are truly looking for. This doesn't mean that by changing what we eat that we are going to improve breast health and prevent breast cancer but what it does mean is that you are reducing your risk of suffering from the disease and improving your overall breast health.
Breast cancer is an illness that can affect any woman, but is most likely to affect those over the age of 50; women with a history of the disease in their family are also placed as a higher risk of developing the disease than those with no history at all.
Regardless of which category you fall into there are a number of precautions that you may wish to keep in mind; for example, always maintain a healthy diet and restrict your intake of alcohol. Aspects such as these, however, pretty much represent common sense, they are aspects that all of us should be applying to our lives anyway. So what else should we be aware of? Well for some time now the attention of researchers has been turned to vitamin D.
There have been various studies on breast health and vitamin D conducted, including studies that have been featured in the International Journal of Cancer. The studies found in this publication outline how vitamin D protects cells from oxidative stress and support good breast health. What studies such as this look into is the most biological active form of the vitamin, which is vitamin D3 along with non-malignant human prostate epithelial cells.
Stay tuned for Part II of this breast health series, which further discusses the key role vitamin D plays in fighting free radical damage.
With this month representing cancer awareness there has never been a better time to dispel the rumors and get the advice that you are truly looking for. This doesn't mean that by changing what we eat that we are going to improve breast health and prevent breast cancer but what it does mean is that you are reducing your risk of suffering from the disease and improving your overall breast health.
Breast cancer is an illness that can affect any woman, but is most likely to affect those over the age of 50; women with a history of the disease in their family are also placed as a higher risk of developing the disease than those with no history at all.
Regardless of which category you fall into there are a number of precautions that you may wish to keep in mind; for example, always maintain a healthy diet and restrict your intake of alcohol. Aspects such as these, however, pretty much represent common sense, they are aspects that all of us should be applying to our lives anyway. So what else should we be aware of? Well for some time now the attention of researchers has been turned to vitamin D.
There have been various studies on breast health and vitamin D conducted, including studies that have been featured in the International Journal of Cancer. The studies found in this publication outline how vitamin D protects cells from oxidative stress and support good breast health. What studies such as this look into is the most biological active form of the vitamin, which is vitamin D3 along with non-malignant human prostate epithelial cells.
Stay tuned for Part II of this breast health series, which further discusses the key role vitamin D plays in fighting free radical damage.