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Vitamin D May Boost Cancer Survival

Q. I know that we need Vitamin D for absorption of calcium. Do you make Vitamin D if the sunlight is coming through glass (when you’re riding in a car or sitting by a window)?

A. The body makes vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunshine. Ultraviolet B rays are primarily responsible for this process, and window glass protects against most UVB exposure. Consequently, it is hard to get a tan or make vitamin D indoors.

Vitamin D is crucial for building strong bones. This nutrient also appears to help prevent heart disease, depression and certain cancers. A new study from Harvard has found that lung cancer patients who got more sun and had high levels of vitamin D had much better survival rates.

Fifteen minutes of sun exposure two or three times a week may be all it takes to make adequate amounts of vitamin D. For those who cannot tolerate even that much sun, a supplement might do the trick.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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