Recent research by Intermountain Health in the US city of Salt Lake City revealed that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack in people with coronary artery disease. Experts emphasize that the use of supplements with this substance should take place under the supervision of a doctor, because even excessive intake of vitamin D can be harmful.
- Research has shown that vitamin D reduces the risk of heart attack in coronary heart disease.
- Vitamin D deficiency affects over a billion people worldwide.
- A higher level of this substance in conjunction with exercise reduces the risk of premature death.
- Conversely, excessive intake can lead to hypercalcemia.
- The use of vitamin D supplements must be consulted with a doctor.
Vitamin D supports many important functions, including the immune system, muscles, nervous system and calcium absorption. It also plays a key role in the prevention of osteoporosis. Maintaining a sufficient level is especially important during the fall and winter when its supply is limited.
Researchers from New York’s Touro University point out that vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem affecting more than a billion people. This is mainly caused by limited exposure to the sun and frequent use of sunscreens. Epidemiological data show that up to 90% of the population is low in vitamin D, with more than 60% suffering from severe deficiency requiring treatment.
We primarily get vitamin D from the sun. (illustrative photo)
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The Intermountain Health study involved 630 participants with an average age of 63. Almost half of them had previously suffered a heart attack, and up to 85% of people had vitamin D deficiency. The researchers found that keeping this substance in the optimal range of 40-80 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) reduced the risk of heart attack by 52%.
Chief researcher Dr. Heidi T. May explained that their approach differed from previous studies. This is because the team adjusted vitamin D doses individually based on regular blood tests, which allowed for accurate concentration control and better results.
Supplements are also suitable for maintaining a sufficient level of vitamin D. (illustrative photo)
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Research also indicated that a higher level of vitamin D in combination with physical activity significantly reduces the risk of premature death in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Participants who had low levels of this vitamin and did not exercise enough had a threefold higher risk of death compared to active people.
On the other hand, a review of 14 clinical trials published in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology found no protective effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk. This analysis included more than 80,000 participants with an average vitamin D level of 24 ng/ml, which was a low but not borderline level of this substance in the body.
Experts stress that nutritional supplements, including vitamin D, can be beneficial, but should be taken under the supervision of a doctor or nutritionist.. Excessive intake can cause hypercalcemia, in which there is an increase in the concentration of calcium in the blood. The condition is manifested, for example, by nausea, muscle weakness and, in severe cases, kidney damage or heart rhythm disorders.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
