Low Vitamin D and Heart Disease

From: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/news/hot/lowvitamindwithdrcho.aspx

Emerging research
Low vitamin D levels may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease
It’s well known that low vitamin D levels can weaken bones in adults leading to osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency also causes rickets in children. However, recent studies are raising concerns among scientists and physicians that low levels of vitamin D also may trigger other serious health problems.
“Over the last few years, a growing body of research suggests insufficient vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” says Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD.
For example, the Framingham Heart Study followed 1,739 participants who had no cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Heart Study is a long term, ongoing project that has conducted epidemiological heart disease research since 1948.
Researchers found study participants with low vitamin D levels had twice the risk of a heart attack, heart failure or stroke over five years compared with those who had higher levels of vitamin D. What’s more, dozens of other observational population studies also have implicated that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
More answers needed
Although observational population studies have shown consistent results, they haven’t proven vitamin D reduces heart disease risk, says Jen Sygo, a registered dietician at Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto.
“There are many questions about vitamin D that we don’t have the answers to, but it is expected that large randomized trials will help decide whether vitamin D has any heart health benefits and for whom,” says Sygo. Such a study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, is now enrolling patients at multiple sites nationwide in hopes of finding these answers.
D levels drop
The percentage of people with healthy vitamin D levels has dropped from 45 percent in 1994 to 23 percent in 2004, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey also found 7 out of 10 children have low vitamin D levels. Sygo notes the elderly, people with dark skin, those who live in northern climates and who do not get much sun exposure or use sunscreen, may be more prone to vitamin D deficiency.
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but scientists believe vitamin D levels have dropped because people are spending less time outside or are using sunscreen lotion to prevent skin cancer. Nevertheless, 15 minutes a day of strong sun exposure on unprotected skin is enough and safe for most people to get a healthy dose of vitamin D, says Dr. Cho.
Unlike the sun, most food sources do not produce high levels of vitamin D.
“A cup of fortified milk has just 100 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, and you can get small amounts of vitamin D from tub margarines, yogurt and some oily fish,” says Sygo. “A serving of salmon will give you 300 IUs, but that is the most you are going to get from any food source. So it’s impossible to get enough levels of Vitamin D from eating foods.”
Check your levels
To check if you have adequate levels of vitamin D, ask your primary care physician to do a blood test. Make sure to request a 25(OH) D3 test rather than the 1,25(OH)2D3 test. The first test is more likely to give an accurate reading of overall vitamin D levels in the body.
If your vitamin D levels are low, your physician may recommend that you take 1000 to 2000 International Units (IUs) for several weeks, says Dr. Cho. Patients with severe deficiency need 50000 IU of vitamin D once a week for 12 weeks. When your vitamin D levels reach a normal level, your physician may suggest you consume a lower daily dose.
Dr. Cho also recommends that you take vitamin D3 because the body better absorbs it. To find out how much vitamin D you should take daily, ask your primary care physician.
If you need more information or would like to make an appointment with a specialist, contact us, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.
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This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.