Sunshine Could Help Prevent Cancer and Diabetes

By Erik Anderson / Environment Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published July 17, 2007 at 1:03 PM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

A San Diego researcher says sunshine could be important in preventing many cancers and Type I diabetes. A high level of Vitamin D may be a key way to help the body fight serious diseases.

A San Diego researcher says that sunshine could be important in preventing many cancers and Type I diabetes. UC San Diego professor Cedric Garland thinks a high level of sunshine-produced Vitamin D is a key way help the body fight a host of serious diseases.

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Garland : 25 hydroxy Vitamin D, which is a metabolite of Vitamin D, should be regularly measured in the blood.

Garland says five to 10 minutes of daily exposure to sunlight is enough to produce the required amount of Vitamin D. He says people can also take tablets to boost Vitamin D levels. Garland presented his findings Tuesday at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry meeting in San Diego.