High Vitamin D levels may reduce breast cancer risk
New York, June 16: Higher levels of Vitamin D among women may reduce their risk of developing breast cancer post menopause, claimed a new study.
The study found that women with blood levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (OH) -- the main form of vitamin D in blood -- above 60 ng/ml (nanograms per millilitre) had one-fifth the risk of breast cancer compared to those with less than 20 ng/ml.
Thus, researchers from the University of California-San Diego determined that the minimum healthy level of 25(OH) in blood plasma should be 60 ng/ml, instead of the earlier recommended higher than the 20 ng/ml.
"Increasing Vitamin D blood levels substantially above 20 ng/ml appears to be important for the prevention of breast cancer," said lead author Sharon McDonnell from GrassrootsHealth, a non-profit public health research organisation.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, analysed data from two randomised clinical trials with 3,325 combined women and a prospective study involving 1,713 women with average age of 63.
Participants were free of cancer at enrollment and were followed for a mean period of four years. Vitamin D levels in blood were measured during study visits.
"This study was limited to postmenopausal breast cancer. Further research is needed on whether high 25(OH)D levels might prevent premenopausal breast cancer," said Cedric F. Garland from UC-San Diego.
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Delhi records minimum temperature of 18.1 deg C
New Delhi (PTI): The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 18.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, a day after it witnessed the hottest morning so far this year at 20.4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD has predicted the temperature to drop further over the next few days.
Safdarjung, Delhi's base station, recorded a minimum temperature of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees above normal.
Palam and Lodhi Road weather stations recorded a low of 16.6 degrees Celsius each.
The weather department has forecast very light rain or drizzle accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning from morning to forenoon on Sunday, which is likely to bring the temperature down.
By Monday, the IMD said, the minimum temperature is likely to settle around 14-16 degrees Celsius and the maximum around 31-33 degrees Celsius.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 145, in the 'moderate' category, on Saturday morning, an improvement from 189 on Friday evening, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
Delhi's air quality is likely to remain in the 'moderate' category for the next few days, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS).
