This study links vitamin D with the aggressiveness of disease. A number of prior studies have strongly demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, pancreas and prostate, and perhaps others. But until now, no study has looked at how vitamin D levels affect the progress of any cancer.

Fifteen percent of the women with healthy vitamin D levels died from their cancer, and 17 percent had their cancers metastasize, or spread to other organs. In contrast, 26 percent of the vitamin D-deficient women died, and 31 percent had cancer that metastasized. This translated into a 73 percent higher risk of death among women who were vitamin D deficient, and a 94 percent higher risk of the cancer spreading..

Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common among women with a higher body weight. Levels were also lower in younger women which were a bit of a surprise, until we realized older women were taking more supplements.
Women who were premenopausal or had high insulin levels were also more likely to be deficient in vitamin D.

Even with strong evidence that vitamin D can help prevent – and, in the current study, fight off – various cancers, researchers are still unclear on the mechanism by which the chemical works.

- By Harvinder Singh

The most commonly experienced kidney cancer symptoms (renal cell carcinoma) are:

*  Chronic fatigue
*  Unexplained, rapid weightless
*  Leg and ankle swelling
*  Hypertension (high blood pressure)
*  Fever
*  Presence of blood in urine (seen either by the eye, or microscopically)
*  Pain in side or lower back
*  Mass or lump in the abdomen

Keep in mind that these symptoms are also the signs for many other illnesses. Please see a health care professional if you are experiencing anything abnormal for further diagnosis.

- By Wim Willis

There are various causes for skin cancer, with excessive exposure to UV rays topping the list. Genetics, family history of cancer, age, and skin lesions are some of the other causes of skin cancer.

Nutrition is both a cause and a remedy for skin cancer. If poor nutrition can increase your vulnerability to skin cancer, a proper nutritious diet can help in preventing and even treating the problem of skin cancer.

Nutrition is becoming associated with the buzzword ‘beauty’. This is because nutrients help in providing you with a naturally healthy, glowing and a radiant skin and it also provides protection against the dangerous skin cancer. Let’s look at what kind of nutrients can shield your skin from cancer.

You must remember that beauty is not only skin deep, it owes a lot to what you eat and how healthy your body remains. Antioxidants are extremely beneficial for your skin. Vitamin A, C, E and zinc are beneficial in protecting your skin from cancer.

Having whole grain cereal, wheat germ, sea food, sesame seeds and mushrooms can benefit your skin. This is because such food items are rich in selenium which in turn helps in providing protection against cancer causing agents.

As mentioned above, Vitamin E is particularly beneficial for your skin as it helps in keeping your skin naturally healthy and beautiful. In addition, it is said that Vitamin E can help in reversing the newly formed cancer cells back into normal cells. Thus, it is extremely beneficial in naturally preventing and treating the problem of skin cancer.

You must include the above mentioned nutrients in your diet so that you have a healthy skin complemented by a healthy body.

- By Maya Marta

A recent summary in the journal Nutrition Review suggests that optimal levels of dietary fiber may help prevent a wide array of health conditions, including several cancers, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases and, even, obesity. The recommended target is roughly 14 grams of fiber per every 1000 calories consumed. Ideally, the majority of this fiber should come from nutrient rich foods. But fiber supplements can also be utilized if your diet regularly falls short of your fiber goals.

Two key areas of health care were most prominently featured: cancer and cardiovascular disease. Today I’ll focus on the cancer protective role of these bulking agents.

A 4 year dietary intervention examined the effects of a strict high fiber diet (rich in fruits and vegetables) in a group of patients at an increased risk for colon polyps. A 35% reduction in polyp recurrence was found in those deemed as “super compliers” to the menu plan. This emphasizes the need for a consistently healthy diet.

• Dietary fiber may play in breast cancer (BC) rates. Over 185,000 postmenopausal women were followed for 7 years. Food frequency questionnaires were used to assess typical food selection and macronutrient status. The researchers determined that the women consuming the most fiber were afforded significant protection against BC. Their concluding remarks were as follows: “Our findings suggest that dietary fiber can play a role in preventing breast cancer through non-estrogen pathways among postmenopausal women.
• High fiber diet can reduce the likelihood of stomach cancer occurrence. Their overall conclusion was that total fiber consumption did demonstrate a protective effect. But only fiber from vegetables and, to a lesser extent, fruit yielded positive results. Fiber rich grains did not afford any benefit at all in this investigation.
• A new study from determined that the intake of starchy carbohydrates increased the risk of these forms of pre-cancerous inflammation. But, higher intake of roughage was inversely related to esophageal inflammation and the related cancer. The reduced risk was noted as 56% based on a comparison of those with the highest vs. lowest dietary fiber intake. This is yet another example of how good carbs (fiber) can benefit health and bad carbs (starches and sugar) can endanger it.
• The product contained a total of 15 grams of dietary fiber per serving. The researchers then tested the blood of the volunteers at various points following the fiber consumption. Significant elevations in serum antioxidant status were found 8 hours after the ingestion of the antioxidant/fiber blend. This indicates that “antioxidants associated with dietary fiber are at least partially bioavailable in humans, although dietary fiber appears to delay their absorption.
• One the easiest and healthiest ways to boost fiber intake is to make a fiber rich smoothie.

- By Alisha John