Vitamin D to Lower Heart Disease
Following up previous research over the last decade that indicated a link between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease, researchers analyzed data from over 180,000 patients focusing on their vitamin D status, total cardiovascular events and total mortality.
Cardiovascular events refer to any incidents that may cause damage to the heart muscle. Any interruption of blood flow will lead to an injury, or infarction. These can include heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.
Researchers found that vitamin D status was inversely associated with cardiovascular events and mortality.
““The present meta-analysis showed that higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations had a protective effect on total CVD events and CVD mortality,”
Researchers were quick to say that we don’t know exactly how vitamin D protects against heart disease but studies indicate vitamin D can have a regulatory effect on vascular mucsle cells and that decreased vitamin D increases blood pressure levels (a risk factor for heart disease). Additionally studies have indicated that vitamin D has an anti- inflammatory effect, protecting the heart and also protecting against heart attacks.
Heart disease is a killer. It is the number one killer of both men and women accounting for almost 1/4 of all deaths (deaths from any reason) .
