Blog — vitamin d and melanoma

Vitamin D, comprising D2 and D3, is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. From maintaining strong bones to supporting immune function, this sunshine vitamin is a key player in various physiological processes. In this blog, we will explore the importance of Vitamin D, identify common symptoms of deficiency, discover natural sources, and learn about the Vitamin D blood spot test.1. Understanding Vitamin D:Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two main forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). While Vitamin D2 is found in plant-based sources, such as mushrooms,...

By Margaret N Groves, M.Phil, ELS Two vitamin D studies were published recently, both utilising ZRT's testing in dried blood spots. Dried blood spot samples are well suited for research applications because they are equivalent to serum but have the advantage of the ease of sample collection, shipping, and storage, which doesn’t require any refrigeration or biohazard labeling. Also, samples are easily identified by details that can simply be written on the outside flap of the collection cards, which require minimal freezer space for long-term storage of samples. Here are brief summaries of each study: Wakayo T, Belachew T, Vatanparast H,...

  Tracy Tranchitella, ND, ZRT Laboratory If you have ever experienced a near-miss collision or other accident, you have likely felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins almost instantly. In that moment, your heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate increased, your pupils dilated, and your brain felt immediately more alert. These are the effects of adrenaline, otherwise known as epinephrine, which is produced in the adrenal medulla when we encounter a significant stressor.  In a “life or death” situation, the stress response can literally save our lives by readying us to act and facilitating a physiological response...

By Lissa Gienty, ZRT Laboratory Quick Takeaway: Studies suggest high blood levels of 25-OH vitamin D may prevent melanoma [1] and appropriate D levels may affect the prognosis in both primary [2] and metastatic melanomas. [3] Keep your levels in blood between 50-80 ng/dL. Additionally, melatonin and its metabolites protect the skin from sun and help guard the DNA there when faced with the mixture of cancer-inducing ultraviolet rays and oxidation.  The Full Story Like so many, I figured it was never going to happen to me. Until the day that one of our docs (thank you, Dr. Alison McAllister) turned to me in a meeting and said: "I really don't like...