ALERT: Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Heart Disease

Another study touting the benefits and importance of the proper vitamin D levels was published in the June 9, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study found that low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25[OH]D) were associated with a higher risk of having a heart attack

The authors note that in most populations studied, the rate of cardiovascular death is elevated at higher latitudes, increases during the winter months, and is lower at high altitudes. All of these conditions would suggest that cardiovascular death is directly related to low vitamin D levels.

While alternative explanations for these observations are possible, they point out that a variety of plausible biological mechanisms support a role for vitamin D in heart disease. For example, vitamin-D affects vascular smooth-muscle-cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification, the renin-angiotensin system, and blood pressure; all of these can have profound affects on cardiovascular health

To look at this issue further, the authors examined Vitamin D levels in relation to risk of heart attack in 18,225 men who were enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The men were aged 40 to 75 years and were free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at baseline.The results showed that men deficient in Vitamin D were found to be at increased risk for heart attack compared with those considered to be sufficient in Vitamin D.What is the range of vitamin D levels that were used? Well, below 30 ng/mL was considered to be deficient. In another blog, I will explain how I came to the range that I use for optimal Vitamin D status; that range is 50-100 ng/mL. Vitamin D staus can be easily measured in the blood as 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, because I am part of a lab co-op, this important blood marker will cost $45 including the lab draw through a Quest Diagnostics draw station. The lab interpretation with subsequent recommendation fee is normally $89 but I am offering it for $49 for Vitamin D only. This makes having your Vitamin D levels both important and affordable as there is no need to run the test more than once every 12 months unless you are very deficient.Call 503-866-9739 or email info@OptFunction.com today to schedule your vitamin D test today.

Reference:Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men. A prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1174-1180.

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