Not having enough vitamin D in your diet ‘raises the risk of bladder cancer’ by preventing an immune response
Not having enough vitamin D in your diet ‘raises the risk of bladder cancer’ by preventing an immune response
People who do not get enough vitamin D have a higher chance of getting bladder cancer, new research suggests.
During summer most people get all of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ they need from exposure to UV rays.
But during the winter it can be difficult to maintain appropriate levels, despite it being present in oily fish, red meat and egg yolks, experts say.
It is believed that as many as one in five adults are deficient in the vitamin, while three in five have low levels.
Scientists say the new findings stress the importance of getting the right levels of vitamin D in the diet.
British researchers examined seven previous studies which looked at bladder cancer and vitamin D.
Low levels of the vitamin were associated with a higher risk of the disease in five of the studies.
A LACK OF VITAMIN D COULD CAUSE DEMENTIA
A lack of vitamin D – which comes from sunshine – could raise your risk of getting dementia, according to research last month.
It is already known that someone’s genetics can raise their danger of developing dementia, as can smoking or being overweight.
But a Edinburgh University study found a lack of sunshine could increase the risk.
People around the world with low vitamin D levels were found to have a higher risk of developing dementia, with researchers suggesting they could in future be advised to take supplements or spend more time outside to protect themselves.
During their research, they also looked at the cells that line the organ, known as transitional epithelial cells.
They concluded that the cells are able to activate and respond to vitamin D, which in turn can stimulate an immune response.
Lead researcher Dr Rosemary Bland, from the University of Warwick, said more evidence is needed to confirm the link.
‘But our work suggests that low levels of vitamin D in the blood may prevent the cells within the bladder from stimulating an adequate response to abnormal cells,’ she added.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3915900/Not-having-vitamin-D-diet-raises-risk-bladder-cancer-study-finds.html#ixzz4PRIVmdOA
