Scientific evidence of vitamin D's vast benefits is building (Part 2)

There are vitamin D receptors on the body's immune cells," he said. His perspective: "They're there for some reason."
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Added Cardelli, "There is evidence also that our white blood cells are more effective at killing germs if our vitamin D level is higher."

To Barry's dosage concern, Klamm would respond in much the same way Barry's own health care provider did: The balance between the risks and benefits of vitamin D supplementation leans pronouncedly to the side of benefits.

"It's almost impossible with over-the-counter vitamin D to get too much," Cardelli said.

For those wanting to take action to prevent flu this fall and winter, Klamm said, "vaccinating is a good idea, washing hands is a good idea and taking vitamin D is a good idea. It's easy, and it's cheap."

A cancer preventive

Scientists further speculate that vitamin D plays a role in fending off cancer, particularly of the colon and breast. Two factors enter into their suspicion.

First, these diseases occur more frequently further from the equator, where more people are deficient in vitamin D.

"(Scientists) noted that there's a correlation between where you live on the planet and risk for certain diseases," Cardelli said.

Second, like immune cells, the tissues affected by several cancers have vitamin D receptors. Klamm said again, "If you either believe in evolution or the good Lord, there's a reason for them being there."

While the mechanisms of vitamin D's cancer-fighting effects are not yet understood or proven, every month sees new scientific articles published on the topic, said Dave Hall, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at Lawrence University in Appleton.

"There's a lack of vitamin D, and now researchers are going in and asking the questions," Hall said.

Answering them is a long and involved process.

"You have to do a prevention study, which takes a long time and a lot of people," Cardelli said.

"It's extremely difficult to examine nutrients and look at health effects," Hall said. "We hear a lot of different things about, 'Well, you don't have enough vitamin E in your diet,' or vitamin C, and there are a lot of conflicting studies."



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