Scientists have discovered a clear association between a Vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer.

Vitamin D is available through a healthy diet, sunlight and vitamin supplements, and is an important component in preventing breast cancer, according to a new US study in The Breast Journal.

“This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that higher serum levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced incidence rates of breast cancer worldwide,” said researcher Dr Cedric F. Garland.

The researchers looked at cancer data from over 175 countries and suggested that further research is needed to study the individual effects of vitamin D from sunlight, diet and supplements on the risk of breast cancer.

And although many experts believe that due to skin cancer risk, sunlight is not the healthiest way to get your vitamin D quota, Garland said that in general, breast cancer incidence was highest at the world’s highest latitudes – where there’s least sunlight.

“Even after controlling for known variables such as meat, vegetable and alcohol intake, cigarette consumption, weight, fertility and others, the association of vitamin D status with breast cancer incidence remained strong,” he added.

This is not the first research to suggest that vitamin D has cancer-fighting properties. A previous study found that thousands of cases of breast and colorectal cancer could be prevented every year by getting enough vitamin D. To read more, Click Here.

Scientists say that Vitamin D also helps prevent diabetes. To find out more, Click Here.