Study author Dr. Thomas Brzozowski, of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, says that because grapefruit is acidic in nature, people with ulcers might assume that they should not include the fruit in their diet.
According to Brzozowski his research suggests the exact opposite.
He has found that the antioxidant properties found in grapefruit, and the ability of the fruit extract to limit oxidative stress in the ulcerative gastric mucosa has therapeutic properties that, when combined with additional therapies, can be especially beneficial for the healing of gastric ulcers.
In the study researchers gave different doses of the extract to rats with gastric ulcers. Rats treated with 10 milligrams/kilograms of the compound experienced a 50 percent reduction in gastric acid secretion which is one of the major causes of gastric ulcers, and a progressive decrease in the size of gastric ulcers following six and nine days of treatment.
The researchers also noted that grapefruit seed therapy promoted a major increase in blood flow at the ulcer sites.
The study was presented this week at the Digestive Disease Week 2005 conference in Chicago.
Government advisers suggest 200 international units (IU) a day for those up to age 50, 400 IUs for those aged 50 to 70, and 600 IUs for those over 70,but scientists now believe that adults should have 1,000 IUs each day.
Dr. Giovannucci goes even further and suggests in order to have an anti-cancer effect, as much as 1,500 IUs of vitamin D might be needed.
The biosynthesis of vitamin D is so suited to your needs that the body will get only what it needs and in this sense, sunshine is a better source for vitamin D.
Dr. Giovannucci is not alone in his belief as other experts concur with his view.
Dr. Michael Holick, of Boston University, who is a noted vitamin D expert is one of the advocates for sunshine exposure. His book,"The UV Advantages" was written to encourage people to get enough vitamin D from sunshine. Holick suggests 15 minutes of sunshine exposure a session three sessions a week should do the trick for most people.
The book caused such a fuss in the academic and professional arenas, that Holick was disciplined by his department,and the American Academy of Dermatology last year called him irresponsible.
Dermatologists who have possibly seen too many skin cancers, are cautious when it comes to exposure to sunshine, and usually encourage that sunscreens are used to protect the skin and often suggest people avoid strong sunshine.
Regardless of the range of opinions surrounding vitamin D and sunshine, there are two things worth remembering, get enough vitamin D and avoid excessive sunshine.