Link found between cancer and vitamin D

A link between vitamin D and basal cell carcinoma has been found by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.

According to a study compiled by the institution, higher levels of the nutrient's enzymes and proteins were discovered in people suffering from the common form of skin cancer, when compared with typical skin tissue.

Senior staff physician of the organisation's department of dermatology Iltefat Hamzavi said: "This finding may help us in future research to determine whether vitamin D plays a causative or reactive role in the development and progression of skin cancer."

The results, taken from ten patients suffering from the disease, showed that there is a ten-fold increase in the number of vitamin D enzymes, while there is double the amount of proteins.

Researchers at Warwick Medical School recently revealed that higher levels of the nutritional source in older people can help to combat cardiac problems.