We all have heard from our elders about the significance of sunlight, especially in the winter season when fog envelops our skies and the sun becomes a myth. However, hardly anyone ever tries to find out why our parents and grandparents emphasized that particular gift of nature. Basically, our bodies are not naturally able to produce over 40 essential nutrients, which they must acquire from external sources. One of those nutrients is Vitamin D. It is a fat-soluble nutrient that our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. Basically, when the ultraviolet-B rays from the sun fall on our skin, they interact with a protein known as 7-DHC to produce the inactive vitamin D3 that is then converted to the active form which our bodies use to absorb calcium to our bones, regulate cellular growth, and increase immunity. In addition to sunlight, nature has also provided us with foods that contain vitamin D; these include fatty fish, fish liver oil, some minor amounts are also found in egg yolk and beef liver. Moreover, the advancement of health sciences fortified foods to strengthen the vitamin D percentages such as milk, cereal, and orange juice.
Furthermore, vitamin D is immensely important for breast health. It is, in fact, widely considered one of the most important vitamins for breast health. It supports cellular health, regulates normal breast cell production, and plays a key role in reducing breast cancer risk. Studies show that women with low levels of vitamin D are at a 45% risk of breast cancer, whereas women working outdoors have lesser chances of a breast cancer diagnosis.
In essence, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative qualities that help in controlling the normal breast cell growth and may hamper cancer cell growth altogether. In addition to that, vitamin D promotes apoptosis (which is the programmed cell death also called “cellular suicide”) that hinders the multiplication of the cancer cells within our bodies. According to BCRF, in 75-80% of the breast cancer patients that are estrogen-receptor positive (ER+), estrogen acts as a fuel for the spread of cancer cells. Vitamin D, however, represses the increase of estrogen-receptor signaling, leading to the limited growth of cancer cells.
In clinical treatments, vitamin D plays a vital role as well. Vitamin D supplements improve response rates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which may improve the likelihood of complete tumor eradication during treatment. Despite that, treatments like aromatase inhibitors often cause severe bone loss, but use of vitamin D maximizes calcium absorption to prevent osteoporosis and joint pain. On top of that, higher vitamin D levels at the time of diagnosis are clinically linked to a 30% reduction in mortality and a lower risk of recurrence.
While vitamin D is great for our bones, using it for breast cancer has a few notable downsides, mainly because scientific research is still mixed up on whether it actually prevents or treats the disease. The biggest risk comes from taking too much, which can cause toxicity and lead to a dangerous buildup of calcium in our blood, potentially damaging the kidneys or causing painful kidney stones. High doses can also interfere with certain heart medications or disrupt our bodies during active chemotherapy. Finally, relying too heavily on supplements can give a false sense of security, which might dangerously delay proven medical treatments or routine screenings.
Therefore, it is necessary that a balanced approach is upheld during the examination and treatment of breast cancer. Using either excessive or minimal amount may become harmful to our health overall. Following the doctor’s advice is mandatory before taking any supplements or switching/improving the regular diet.
We have established that sunlight is one of the biggest sources of vitamin D and how the nutrient helps our physical health, and therefore, our mental health. It helps in regulating the estrogen receptor signaling and may inhibit certain pathways involved in tumor progression. Vitamin D also maximizes bone absorption to prevent joint pain and osteoporosis. However, excessive levels of vitamin D consumption may lead to serious health issues such as kidney stones or renal failure. Consequently, a balanced approach is encouraged in regards to the intake of vitamin D. Neither too much nor too little of it is good for our health.
Author:
Kanza Anjum
