Vit A 50,000 IU in cancer research

[Guest guest]

"HSI - Jenny Thompson"

<hsiresearch HSI e-Alert - Damage ControlThu, 30 Nov 2006

 

Dear Member,

 

Remember those lazy, hazy, crazy days of youthful summers, spendingentire days playing outside? Back in those days before "SPF" becamepart of our summertime vocabulary, occasional sunburn was the cost offun in the sun. And while you might have endured some pain and anoccasional restless night's sleep, you peeled and healed with noapparent harm.

 

Key word: "apparent."

 

Skin damage from occasional sunburns lays the groundwork for thedevelopment of actinic keratoses (AK) later in life. AK shows up aslesions that are precursors of the two most common types of cancer:nonmelanoma squamous cell or basal cell cancer. More than a millionnew cases of these cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

 

But a new study demonstrates that if you're one of the millions whohave AK skin damage, you may substantially lower your risk ofdeveloping skin cancer by increasing your intake of one vitamin.

 

-----------Surface protection-----------

 

In the journal Clinical Cancer Research, scientists at the ArizonaCancer Center, University of Arizona (UA), note that a previous studyconducted at UA showed that vitamin A supplements significantlyreduced the risk of squamous cell skin cancer in patients withmoderately severe AK. The vitamin A dose used in that study was 25,000IU. So the UA team designed another study to test higher doses forboth safety and efficacy.

 

Nearly 130 subjects with severely sun-damaged skin on their forearmswere divided into four groups to receive daily doses of 25,000,50,000, or 75,000 IU of vitamin A, or a placebo. Biopsies wereconducted on the damaged skin of each patient before the study periodbegan, and again one year later at the end of the study.

 

The effects of vitamin A supplementation were dramatic:

 

* Placebo subjects: 25 percent had less skin damage when their

pre-test and post-test biopsies were compared * 25,000 IU subjects: 65 percent had less skin damage * 50,000 IU subjects: 81 percent had less skin damage * 75,000 IU subjects: 79 percent had less skin damage

 

Needless to say, the researchers concluded that 50,000 IU of vitamin Ais the maximum daily dose required for the most effective protectionfor sun-damaged skin. No significant toxic reactions were reported inany of the four groups.

 

-----------Multiple benefits-----------

 

Vitamin A is essential to the health of your eyes, bones, skin andimmune system. Growth and healing also benefit from the antioxidantsthat this key vitamin supplies. Here are some vitamin A basics:

 

* Fruits and vegetables with orange and yellow coloring, and greenleafy vegetables contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A * The body poorly converts beta-carotene into vitamin A * The best dietary sources of vitamin A are animal products, suchas eggs and liver * Cod liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin A * The problems with vitamin A toxicity are associated withsupplements of synthetic vitamin A taken in high doses

 

Studies show that smokers with a high intake of beta-carotene are atgreater risk of developing lung cancer. But for just about everyoneelse, it's almost impossible to overdo vitamin A consumption,according to HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D. In fact, Dr. Spreen tellsme there are only about two-dozen recorded cases of distress due toexcessive vitamin A intake. Dr. Spreen suggests that 10,000 IU ofbeta-carotene vitamin A per day is adequate for most people.

 

Talk with your doctor or a dependable nutritionist to determine avitamin A dosage that's right for you.