Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Is Vitamin D the Answer to Preventing Cancer?
   Researchers at the university of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with lower risks of cancer. They were able to quantify the long believed idea that higher levels of Vitamin D can aide in prevention of cancer.  Original studies showed that population at higher altitudes and who received less sunlight, therefore received less vitamin D, were more susceptible to colon, breast, lung, and bladder cancer.
      The purpose of the most recent study was to find what blood level of vitamin D was required to effectively reduce cancer risk. after conducting the experiment the researchers found that the median blood serum of vitamin D was 30 ng/mL. They also found that the age-adjusted number of cancer incidence was 1,020 cases per 100,000 people. After putting the results together the result of the experiment was that a blood serum level of vitamin D 40ng/mL or above improves your risk of preventing cancer by 67%.
     How does all of this relate to genetics? There is a gene that creates a protein that acts as a Vitamin D receptor, known as the VDR gene. The VDR gene allows the body to respond appropriately to the intake of Vitamin D. This means that if there is a mutation or error in the DNA that codes for this gene it can affect the way the body receives vitamin D; causing a person the be deficient in vitamin D. This can result in an increased chance of cancer according to the study. In my opinion this is interesting, because if more information is learned about the VDR gene new advances in cancer prevention made. Maybe this gene holds a key to a cancer-less future.

1 comment:

  1. It is really remarkable to know that vitamin D helps to reduce the risk of cancer. This will influence vast number of people with vitamin D deficiency to take the proper medication. With further research and experiment, scientists may be able to prevent any chances of having cancer by utilizing vitamin D. It was also beneficial to learn about the VDR gene, which help the body recognize the intake of vitamin D. By using and studying vitamin D and the VDR gene, new medication and treatment for cancer will become available.

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