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   Nov 08

Not having enough vitamin D in your diet ‘raises the risk of bladder cancer’ by preventing an immune response

Scientists assessed 7 older studies between bladder cancer and vitamin D

Low levels were associated with a higher risk of the disease in 5 studies

During the winter it can be hard to maintain appropriate levels, experts say

It is believed that as many as one in five adults are deficient in the vitamin

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.

New research suggests people who do not get enough vitamin D have a higher chance of getting bladder cancer

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.

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.

The cells that line the bladder are able to activate and respond to vitamin D, which in turn can stimulate an immune response, experts found

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.

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.

‘As vitamin D is cheap and safe, its potential use in cancer prevention is exciting and could potentially impact on the lives of many people.’

Across the UK there were more than 10,000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in 2013. While 5,300 died from it, according to Cancer Research UK figures.

In 2015, an estimated 76,000 adults from the US were diagnosed with the form of the disease – killing more than 15,000.

In July, Public Health England said that people should consider taking supplements in the winter to ensure they are getting enough vitamin D.

It said everyone should ensure they were getting 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, and should consider a supplement, while breastfed babies and young children must be given a supplement to boost their intake.

While just last month scientists discovered a lack of the vitamin could raise the risk of developing dementia as people grow older.

Source: Daily Mail

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