Sufficient Intake of Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Uterine Fibroids: Study

One of the best sources of vitamin D is UV radiation from the sun. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, muscles and sound health. Lack of this vitamin triggers several medical problems. Several studies have been conducted that show the health benefits of vitamin D.  You would be surprised to know one such health benefit that is offered by this vitamin.

A latest study according to the National Institutes of Health states that those women who had an adequate intake of vitamin D were at a 32 percent lowered risk of developing uterine fibroids. This study was led by researcher Donna Baird, Ph.D., at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Fibroids are known to be one of the leading causes of hysterectomy in the U.S. They are the non-cancerous tumors of the uterus that are also known as uterine leiomyomata. Fibroids result in pain and bleeding in premenopausal women.

In order to prove the hypothesis, researchers conducted a study involving 1,036 women who resided in the Washington D.C. area from 1996-1999. Along with collaborators at The George Washington University and the Medical University of South Carolina, Baird screened the participants for fibroids with the help of an ultrasound. The researchers used blood samples to measure the primary circulating form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxy D.

Those who had 20 nanograms per millimeter of 25-hydroxy D were labeled as sufficient.

"It would be wonderful if something as simple and inexpensive as getting some natural sunshine on their skin each day could help women reduce their chance of getting fibroids," said Baird in a press statement.

Apart from this, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire with regard to sun exposure. Those participants who spent more than one hour outside per day had a lower risk of developing fibroids, and researchers estimate that the risk reduces by 40 percent.

"This study adds to a growing body of literature showing the benefits of vitamin D," Linda Birnbaum, director of the NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program, said in the news release.