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Science Lack of vitamin D increases risk of heart attacks
Science Lack of vitamin D increases risk of heart attacks | Lack of vitamin D increases risk of heart attacks |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Monday, 07 July 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 Men with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D were found to be twice as likely to have a heart attack as men with the highest levels of vitamin D in the blood. The researchers concluded, “Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction in a graded manner, even after controlling for factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease.” They also found that men with even intermediate levels of vitamin D had an increased risk when compared to those men with higher levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. It also promotes bone formation and mineralization in the body, which provides for a strong skeleton. A type of vitamin D (D3) is produced in the skin that is exposed to sunlight. Only fish naturally contains vitamin D. Much of the vitamin D ingested by humans comes from food fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, soy milk, and breakfast cereals, or in vitamin supplements. Bruce Hollis (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston), a coauthor in the study, stated that too little vitamin D in the blood stream is “right up there with high blood pressure and smoking.” [Science News: July 5, 2008, page 9] The researchers involved in the study are Edward Giovannucci, Yan Liu, Bruce W. Hollis, and Eric B. Rimm. The authors are associated with the: Departments of Nutrition (Giovannucci, Rimm, Liu) and Epidemiology (Giovannucci and Rimm), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (Giovannucci and Rimm); and Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Hollis). Lower-than-normal levels suggest a vitamin D deficiency. This condition can result from:
A vitamin D deficiency may lead to:
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