On episode #40 of The Longevity and Biohacking Show, Jason Hartman leads investigative journalist, Ian Washart, on a discussion regarding the miraculous healing and disease-fighting properties of Vitamin D. If the scientific research cited by Washart is to be believed, there’s a lot of misinformation flying around about skin cancer causes.

Ian Washart’s Bonafides

Wishart is the editor of Investigate magazine, which addresses controversial current affairs issues from a conservative Christian editorial standpoint. It drew mainstream attention for articles critical of policies and members of the centre-left Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, particularly the interview with former Cabinet Minister John Tamihere,[13]which ended his prospects of a return to Cabinet. Washart recently published a book on the use of Vitamin D to ward off cancer and other debilitating diseases, and what he believes to be fraudulent claims regarding sunscreen by product manufacturers and industry organizations.

It Took Us a While to Understand Vitamin D

Though, obviously, Vitamin Da has been a critical component to good health for the entirety of human history, even as recently as a century ago we knew next to nothing about Vitamin D, but then rickets blossomed into an epidemic; research on its causes began in earnest. It wasn’t long before scientists came up with a little thing they called Vitamin D and began fighting the disease with cod liver oil, which is packed full of the stuff.

Thirty years ago researchers noticed that Vitamin Da was not just an avant garde substance only associated with rickets. It was an important part of every single organ in the human body.

Vitamin D Shortage Side Effects

According to Washart, a Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to higher incidences of cancer, alzheimer’s, dementia, and heart disease. At the same time, boosting your intake of that particular vitamin can reduce your risk of developing any or all of these diseases. Either by spending more time in the sun or taking supplements, more Vitamin D is a great way to reduce your medical costs and live a longer, happier life.

The Melanoma Connection

It would seem that melanoma (skin cancer) support organizations would be ecstatic over the idea that Washart’s research has unearthed a host of scientific studies that indicate cancer occurrences go down when Vitamin D consumption goes up. Makes sense, right?

Unfortunately, no. Mr. Washart has had personal experiences back in his home country of New Zealand, where the cancer and sunscreen industry lobbied hard to suppress his campaign to get the truth out. Obviously, Vitamin D is MUCH cheaper than chemotherapy drugs. If it became the standard first line of defense in prevention and treatment of melanoma, we’re talking about a serious reduction in profit. You’re fooling yourself to think that, even in matters of life and death, it’s not all about the money.

Slip-Slop-Slap: Skin Cancer Protection

Readers of a certain age might recall a prominent Australian “public service” campaign known as Slip-Slop-Slap. Creators encouraged anyone out in the sun between the prime skin-frying hours of 11-3 to slip on a shirt, slop on a generous amount of sunscreen lotion, and slap on a hat.

The problem, as Washart points out, is that, by all measures, there has been a slight uptick in cases of skin cancer. Oops. Slip, slop, slap is awfully catchy but has doesn’t appear to be having a positive impact.

Just What is All This Scientific Evidence?

Ever playing Devil’s Advocate, Jason asks Washart if there is really any way to make a direct connection between taking preventative sun exposure measures and an increase in melanoma? Aren’t there too many other environmental factors that can’t be controlled for?

The question really goes to the heart of the quality of the research, especially a European study that indicates you are three times more likely to die from melanoma when using sunscreen, even if you explicitly follow the bottle’s instructions. Furthermore, Washart doesn’t consider a study valid for his investigative writing unless it is randomized, double-blind, and with a control group. These aren’t wild-eyed claims the dude is making. Despite the sunscreen industry’s constant and vociferous claims to the contrary, not a single, legitimate study has ever indicated that the use of sunscreen lowers your chance of developing skin cancer.

Explaining the Senseless

It goes against reason to state that sunscreen doesn’t offer even the slightest protection against skin cancer. How can this be? Washart explains this incongruency easily enough. Sunscreen gives people a false sense of security, causing them to stay outside longer, where they eventually develop burns, and even a single severe sunburn can increase the chances of developing skin cancer over the course of your life drastically.

Vitamin D: How Much Do You Need?

Washart believes that the world, and developed countries like the United States in particular, are in the midst of a low Vitamin D pandemic. What should be your daily intake target? If the governments’ of the United States, Australia, and The United Kingdom are to be believed, we need about 600 – 1,000 units each day. But studies cited by Ian recommend 2,000 – 3,000 is needed to achieve a level of protection against the aforementioned diseases.

Are You Low on Vitamin D?

If you’re interested in finding out your Vitamin D levels, any doctor should be able to administer the simple blood test. Discuss the results with him or her for a full understanding of what the numbers mean. Keep in mind that the level of Vitamin D in your body will fluctuate seasonally, being higher in the summer and fall, lower in the winter and spring.

Can You Correct a Deficiency by Diet?

In response to another question by Jason, the only way to correct a low Vitamin D reading by diet would require subsisting on reindeer meat and wild salmon alone. Luckily, there are plenty of high quality supplements as near as the closest pharmacy or grocery store. Learn more about Ian Washart’s style of investigative journalism at www.InvestigativeDaily.com . (Image: Flickr | mOOby)

More from Jason Hartman:

The Longevity Project: The Longest Study Ever Done

Preventing Death – Real Longevity

The Jason Hartman Team