Fibroids and Vitamin D
Summer is almost here, which means it’s almost time to go to the beach, swim, head out on vacation, and… get some much-needed sunshine. Though too much sun exposure, especially without sunscreen, can increase the risk of skin cancer- a moderate amount, can actually decrease the risk of many health issues. Why is this? Because the sun is a natural and effective way for the body to manufacture a powerful nutrient- vitamin D. Even better, one of the many benefits of this vitamin, is that it may actually help stop or at least decrease the growth of uterine fibroids.
According to researchers at The National Institute of Health, specializing in Reproductive Sciences, vitamin D does appear to inhibit the growth of fibroid cells in lab cultures. Using rats with existing tumors, the researchers gave half of them vitamin D injections for three weeks, while the other half were given none. What they found was that the fibroids in the untreated rats grew, and the fibroids in the rats given vitamin D, shrunk by 75 percent. Rather promising results, indeed.
The results of another research study, published in Fertility and Sterility, looked at the results from three different studies. After analyzing and compiling all of the data, they were able to conclude that all three studies showed a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and uterine fibroids. Based on these studies, and other studies like them, it has been suggested that 85% of women diagnosed with fibroids had a greater deficiency of vitamin D, as compared to women without fibroids.
Does this mean that if a woman doesn’t get enough Vitamin D, she will get fibroids? Not necessarily.
Every female body is different, and being deficient in Vitamin D is only one of several risk factors associated with fibroids. Others are diet and lifestyle, age, and possibly genetics. However, there is evidence to suggest that making an effort to get enough of this key nutrient, which is generated by sunlight and can also be found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon, as well as fortified milk- can be helpful.
While studies continue to suggest that there is a strong relationship between the deficiency of vitamin D and fibroid growth, more clinical trials are needed before it can be administered as a first-line form of prevention and treatment. That being said, seeing as there is some sort of correlation between the two, it is in the best interest of all women, to make sure to be getting enough of this crucial vitamin.
The bottom line, there is evidence to suggest that low vitamin D levels are associated with the presence and further development of uterine fibroids, however, many other factors contribute to it as well. That being said, getting enough vitamin d can help our bodies to function better, and have a positive impact on overall health and wellness. In order to get enough vitamin D from the sun, research suggests that it’s best to expose uncovered skin to sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes. This amount of time is sufficient enough to create the body’s daily requirement for vitamin D. However, if you are uncomfortable with this, or have skin conditions that inhibit the amount of sun exposure you can have, another option is to talk to your doctor about adding a vitamin D supplement to your healthcare regime.
