Insufficient vitamin D may play a role in breast cancer, especially among minority women, new research indicates.
Black and Hispanic American women with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk of breast cancer than those with sufficient vitamin D levels, researchers found.
The findings suggest that vitamin D may help protect these groups of women against breast cancer, according to the researchers.
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"Together with prior studies on this topic, this article suggests that vitamin D may be associated with reduced risk of breast cancer, including among women who self-identify as Black, African-American, Hispanic or Latina," said study co-author Katie O'Brien, of the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
"Because women who identify as members of these groups have lower vitamin D levels, on average, than non-Hispanic white women, they could potentially receive enhanced health benefits from interventions promoting vitamin D intake," O'Brien said in a journal news release.
"However, questions remain about whether these associations are truly causal and, if so, what levels of vitamin D are most beneficial," she adds.
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RELATED: Vitamin D Deficiency Can Raise Diabetes Risk
What role does race play in vitamin D and breast cancer?
Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D may protect against breast cancer, but few have examined how race or ethnicity affects this association.
To learn more, the researchers analyzed blood samples from 290 Black and 125 Hispanic women who later developed breast cancer. They also took samples from 1,010 Black and 437 Hispanic women who did not develop breast cancer.
Over an average follow-up of nine years, women with sufficient vitamin D levels had a 21% lower breast cancer rate than women with vitamin D deficiency.
The link between vitamin D and breast cancer risk was strongest among Hispanic women, who had a 48% lower rate of breast cancer if they had sufficient vitamin D levels.
Black women had an 11% lower rate of breast cancer if they had sufficient vitamin D levels, according to the study.
The research only found an association rather than a cause-and-effect link between vitamin D and breast cancer.
RELATED: Vitamin D Deficiency Could Raise Colon Cancer Risk in Black Women
Easy ways to get more vitamin D
1. Change your diet
Changing your diet is one of the best ways to combat a vitamin D deficiency.
Foods that provide vitamin D include:
- Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon
- Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
2. Spend some time in the sun
Getting natural sunlight is the old-fashioned way to get vitamin D. Our skin hosts a type of cholesterol that makes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. Exactly how much vitamin D your body produces depends on your skin tone, the exposed part of the body, age, etc. Aim for 10-30 minutes of sunlight several times per week. If you have darker skin, you may need a bit more sunlight. Just be sure that you protect your skin and use sunscreen.
3. Cod liver oil
Just one tablespoon of cod liver oil contains 1360 international units of vitamin D. Try taking it with warm water or in capsule form to enhance your vitamin D levels.
4. Supplements
Taking supplements may be the best way to ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of vitamin D, especially if your numbers are extremely low.
5. Ultraviolet UV lamp
UV radiation has widely been used as a therapeutic for various skin conditions. However, recently it has been suggested to be great at raising vitamin D levels as well. UV lights can mimic the sun and be helpful if you have limited sun exposure. Be careful when using UV lamps. Too much exposure can burn your skin. It is recommended that you limit exposure to no more than 15 minutes at a time.
6. Exercise
Regular physical activity such as walking, jogging or cycling can increase your vitamin D levels. For an added bonus, try doing them in the sun whenever possible.
