Want A Healthy Heart? Get More of the Sunshine Vitamin.

We’ve known for some time that the immune-enhancing properties of vitamin D from food and supplements (and the sun) help protect us against skin cancer. Although the sun is the main source of vitamin D, research shows us that the increased risk of cancer from the sun underscores the importance of getting our vitamin D from supplements and food. Supporting this claim is a statement from the American Academy of Dermatology that says,  “Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Do not seek the sun.” Keeping in mind that vitamin D supplements help fulfill our daily requirement of the vitamin without putting us at risk due to sun exposure, an exciting new study shows that higher doses of vitamin D from supplements may help defend against inflammatory agents that contribute to heart disease (CHF).

In an editorial appearing in the April 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the author stated, “Chronic Heart Failure is a chronic disease that affects many body systems and is the long-term consequence of several major risk factors, which may be moderated with improved vitamin D nutrition.

A clinical trial involved men with CHF over the age of 50 who received either a placebo or vitamin D (2000 IU/d) supplements. Researchers found a decrease in a key inflammatory agent, which has protective effects on the heart. The researcher tested doses of 400 IU/d, which proved to be ineffective. At 1000 IU/d, there was a modest effect. Researchers also found that vitamin D improves muscular function, moderates blood pressure, and may improve glucose tolerance. The researcher explained that “each of these vitamin D-related mechanisms targets an underlying cause of CHF, from hypertension and myopathy to diabetes and coronary artery disease.(1)

Reference:
1. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol.83, No.4, 731-732, Apr 2006