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If you’re old enough to remember rickets, you know the health consequences of having too little vitamin D. But rickets is only part of the problem faced by the 60 percent of all adults who are currently deficient in D. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to bone fractures, cancer, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Two recent studies add to the evidence. Too little vitamin D, they say, can lead to heart failure and raise your risk of dying.
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine links insufficient vitamin D with the risk of dying. Data collected from almost 3,300 patients undergoing angiography found that death rates from any cause, and from cardiovascular disease in particular, were higher among people with the lowest levels of vitamin D.
Another study, published online in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, finds that vitamin D also appears to play a role in preventing heart failure. Researchers gave vitamin D supplements to rats that were prone to heart failure. Those rats had significantly lower signs of heart failure compared with similar rats not given the nutrient.
Vitamin D comes primarily from sunlight exposure, which causes your skin to make the vitamin. Most dietary D comes from fortified foods such as milk and other dairy products, breakfast cereals, and orange juice. Very few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Certain fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are the best sources. Beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks have small amounts of D. You can also get the vitamin in supplements.
A blood test can tell if you have enough D in your system. Ask your doctor about testing. And try to incorporate at least 15 minutes of sunlight and plenty of D-rich foods into your day.
SOURCES: Archives of Internal Medicine; Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology; National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements; National Library of Medicine
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8/13/08
The information provided is intended to help you make informed decisions. The Genworth Financial companies do not provide medical information, advice or recommendations. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen. Please note that Wellness partners, their products, services, and offers may change over time.
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