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Higher Vitamin D Levels Might Decrease Colon Cancer Risk: Study

The study focused on 12,000 people in the U.S., Asia and Europe

A higher vitamin D level might decrease the risk of developing colon cancer, particularly for women, according to new American Cancer Society research.

NBC News reported that colon cancer, the third-most common form of cancer in men and women, was more likely to be found among people with lower levels of vitamin D than recommended. The study focused on 12,000 people in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

“Participants who had vitamin D levels that were higher than the recommended levels had a statistically significant 22 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer,” said Marjorie McCullough, senior scientific director at the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Zhaoping Li, director at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, said she recommends taking at least 1,000 international units of vitamin D every day. Exposure to sunlight also helps the body produce vitamin D. 

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