Looking for an excuse to catch a tan? Thousands of cases of breast and colorectal cancer could be prevented every single year by getting enough vitamin D, which is available from the sun’s rays, new research suggests.

A new study looking at the relationship between vitamin D serum levels and the risk of colon and breast cancer has estimated that 250,000 cases of colorectal cancer and 350,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented worldwide by upping our intake of vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 is available through a healthy diet, supplements and exposure of the skin to sunlight.

The study is the first to look at satellite measurements of sunshine and cloud cover in countries at the same time as monitoring peoples’ blood levels of vitamin D3. The findings were taken from 177 countries to estimate the average level of a vitamin D of people living there.

The data revealed an association of serum vitamin D deficiency with a risk of colorectal and breast cancer. The protective effect began at levels ranging from 24 to 32 nanograms per millilitre of vitamin D concentration in the blood. But the winter average for people living north of the equator is usually between 15-18 ng/ml. The researchers believe that increasing vitamin D levels for people, particularly those in northern climates, has the potential to both prevent cancer and possibly even help treat it.

“This could be best achieved with a combination of diet, supplements and short intervals – 10 or 15 minutes a day – in the sun,” said Dr Cedric Garland, a cancer specialist at the University of California in the US.

“It could be less for very fair-skinned people. The appropriate dose of vitamin D in order to reach this level could be very little in a lifeguard in Southern California, or quite a lot for someone in Northern Europe who tends to remain indoors most of the year.”

But Garland recommends moderate sun exposure and use of clothing and a hat when in the sun longer than 15 minutes.

The serum level recommended by the study would correspond to intake of 2000 International Units per day of vitamin D3 for a meaningful reduction in colorectal cancer, plus, when weather allows, a few minutes in the sun with at least 40% of the skin exposed, for a meaningful reduction in breast cancer incidence, unless you have a history of skin cancer or a photosensitivity disease.

“The message is, depending on where you live, you may need to consider taking in considerably higher levels of vitamin D3 than those currently recommended,” said Garland. “I’d recommend discussing vitamin D needs with your doctor, who may order and interpret a simple blood test for vitamin D, and provide a dosage recommendation that’s appropriate for your needs.”

Several studies have pointed to the beneficial qualities of vitamin D. For example, recent research suggests that vitamin D prevents disability in the elderly and promotes longevity. However, many experts believe that the pros are not worth risking skin cancer in the sun – instead, they say you can reap the benefits of vitamin D simply by changing your eating habits. To find out how, Click Here.