Vitamin D

!: Vitamin D

What does sunshine mean to us? It means vitamin D.

We all require vitamin D, which is produced by exposure to sunshine and is made in the skin, our largest organ. It is also derived in smaller quantities from food like fish liver oils, animal oils, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products and also in fortified cereals. It is essential for the growth and development of our teeth and bones. It is essential in preventing rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, certain cancers and other very sinister diseases.

How does it work?

Vitamin D, after travelling to the liver undergoes a chemical change then moves through the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it changes again to become an active form of the vitamin. This active form known as dihydroxy vitamin D assists the body in its absorption of calcium and phosphorus and transports these into bone tissue. Without this assistance we can be sure to fall prone to several deficiencies and some that lead to osteoporosis. You can take all the calcium tablets you like, but very little will be absorbed without vitamin D. Vitamin D is more of a hormone than it is a vitamin. It is made essentially from cholesterol and sunlight. Vitamin D has also been linked to the prevention of polyps and cancer of the colon and rectum.

Our esteemed scientists are beginning to realise that nature seldom gets it wrong. Sunshine is essential to all life on earth. I explore natural sunshine versus sunscreen and the incidence of cancers. I ask if sunshine is really the killer as has been portrayed and if sunscreens are totally carcinogen free and really safe for us. I look to see if there is any correlation between these things and cancers such as breast cancers, prostrate cancers and other types of cancer and diseases.

What is vitamin D?

How does it work?

Where do we get it free?

Why do we need it?

Does our body produce it naturally?

What if we don't get enough?

How much do we need?

Does the sun cause melanoma?

Does vitamin D prevent sinister diseases?

Does Vitamin D help prevent;

Breast Cancer?

Osteomalacia?