0 Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of heart disease

New research from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital shows that low levels of vitamin D are associated with a markedly higher risk of heart attack and early death. The study involved more than 10,000 Danes and has been published in the well-reputed American journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

Vitamin D deficiency has traditionally been linked with poor bone health. However, the results from several population studies indicate that a low level of this important vitamin may also be linked to a higher risk of ischemic heart disease, a designation that covers heart attack, coronary arteriosclerosis and angina. Other studies show that vitamin D deficiency may increase blood pressure, and it is well known that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack.

"We have now examined the association between a low level of vitamin D and ischemic heart disease and death in the largest study to date. We observed that low levels of vitamin D compared to optimal levels are linked to 40% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, 64% higher risk of heart attack, 57% higher risk of early death, and to no less than 81% higher risk of death from heart disease," says Dr. Peter Brøndum-Jacobsen, Clinical Biochemical Department, Copenhagen University Hospital.

The scientists have compared the 5% lowest levels of vitamin D (less than 15 nanomol vitamin per litre serum) with the 50% highest levels (more than 50 nanomol vitamin per litre serum). In Denmark, it is currently recommended to have a vitamin D status of at least 50 nanomol vitamin per litre serum.

The higher risks are visible, even after adjustment for several factors that can influence the level of vitamin D and the risk of disease and death. This is one of the methods scientists use to avoid bias.

Blood samples from more than 10,000 Danes
The population study that forms the basis for this scientific investigation is the Copenhagen City Heart Study, where levels of vitamin D were measured in blood samples from 1981-1983. Participants were then followed in the nationwide Danish registries up to the present.

"With this type of population study, we are unable to say anything definitive about a possible causal relationship. But we can ascertain that there is a strong statistical correlation between a low level of vitamin D and high risk of heart disease and early death. The explanation may be that a low level of vitamin D directly leads to heart disease and death. However, it is also possible that vitamin deficiency is a marker for poor health generally," says Børge Nordestgaard, clinical professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and senior physician at Copenhagen University Hospital.

Long-term goal is prevention
The scientists are now working to determine whether the connection between a low level of vitamin D and the risk of heart disease is a genuine causal relationship.

If this is the case, it will potentially have a massive influence on the health of the world population. Heart disease is the most common cause of adult death in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that at least 17 million people die every year from heart disease.

"The cheapest and easiest way to get enough vitamin D is to let the sun shine on your skin at regular intervals. There is plenty of evidence that sunshine is good, but it is also important to avoid getting sunburned, which increases the risk of skin cancer. Diet with a good supply of vitamin D is also good, but it has not been proven that vitamin D as a dietary supplement prevents heart disease and death," says Børge Nordestgaard.

0 Higher Vitamin D Blood Levels Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Just in case you needed more proof that low blood levels of vitamin D represent a significant health concern, researchers publishingin the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrate that small increases in the sunshine vitamin can add precious years to your life. For nearly a decade scientific evidence has been mounting to show that the vast majorities of adults (and many children) are grossly deficient in circulating blood levels of vitamin D.

Further proof is documented in the PLoS One journal to show the precise cellular mechanism that helps vitamin D dramatically lower the risk of colon cancer. The bottom line is simple: check your vitamin D blood saturation with an inexpensive test and make the necessary adjustments to live a healthier and longer life.

Doubling Average Vitamin D Levels Could Cut World Death Rate by Twenty Percent

Using epidemiologic studies, Dr. W.B. Grant of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in San Francisco found that doubling the serum blood concentration of vitamin D could increase average life expectancy by two years. Dr. Grant and his team identified the major diseases that responded to increased levels of vitamin D. They then compared mortality rates to six identified regions around the country, and contrasted serum blood levels of the sunshine vitamin with disease occurrence.

After compiling all the data, the researchers found that conditions and diseases responsive to vitamin D that account for over half of the worlds mortality include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and infections. It was determined that doubling the circulating level of vitamin D would lower the mortality rates of diseases that are sensitive to vitamin D by approximately 20 percent. Dr. Grant concluded“several ways to raise serum vitamin D include food fortification, supplementation and increased ultraviolet B exposure.”

Vitamin D Directly Correlated With Decreased Colon Cancer Risk

Researchers have known for some time that low vitamin D levels are associated with a significant increase in colon cancer cases, but have not understood the specific mechanism responsible. Now, scientists have discovered how a lack of vitamin D promotes DNA damage and colon cancer risk. Specifically, low vitamin D status instigates the development and progression of this devastating form of cancer.

Researchers have focused on a protein in intestinal epithelial cells called beta-catechin that normally helps epithelial cells bond together with other cells to form a protective barrier between the contents in your gut and the physical structure of your digestive tract. They found that when vitamin D is lacking, DNA synthesis is disrupted and beta-catechin builds up in cells, dramatically increasing the risk of colon cancer initiation.

There should be no doubt remaining that one of the most critical foundations to vibrant health is maintaining proper vitamin D blood saturation levels. Prevention is worth a pound of cure, so have your family physician run the simple and inexpensive 25 (OH)D blood test (alternatively, mail-in home testing is now a viable option), and be certain your level runs between 50 and 70 ng/mL to add years to your life and dramatically lower colon cancer and chronic disease risk.

0 Vitamin D Can Help Prevent Hypertension

The worlds largest study to examine the link between vitamin D levels and hypertension has found that low levels of Vitamin D can be a major cause of hypertension.

Researchers presented their findings at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG).

Data were gathered from 35 studies, which included more than 155,000 participants from different parts of Europe and North America.

Dr. Vimal Karani S, from the Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK, led the study.

Participants with high levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) had reduced blood pressure and were at a lower risk of developing hypertension.

Dr. Vimal Karani S, said:

"We knew from earlier observational studies that low 25(OH)D concentrations were likely to be associated with increases in blood pressure and hypertension, but correlation is not causality.

Additionally, randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in humans have produced inconsistent effects on cardiovascular outcomes. The whole picture was somewhat confused, and we decided to try to figure it out once and for all."


To measure the individuals vitamin D status and test for an association with blood pressure, the researchers used genetic variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs as proxy markers.

For every 10% increase in 25(OH)D concentrations the researchers noted the risk of developing hypertension decreased by 8.1%.

Dr. Karani S., said that the approach they followed, called Mendelian randomization, allowed them to make accurate conclusions, "by using this approach we can determine the cause and effect and be pretty sure that weve come to the right conclusion on the subject."

The researchers said that Vitamin D deficiency is a very common problem in the Western world, particularly because obesity can cause Vitamin D deficiency and obesity levels are highest in Western countries, according to a study published in a recent issue of PLoS Medicine

People with high levels of vitamin D in their blood enjoy several benefits, apart from improved bone health. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine reported in PLOS ONE that people with high levels of vitamin D have significantly better immunity and a reduced risk of several diseases.

Vitamin D insufficiency (between 21-29 ng/mL) and vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) lead to a heightened risk of:

Dr. Karani said that the study provides further data to support the importance of vitamin D. It suggests that vitamin D supplements or food fortification can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

He concluded:

"We now intend to continue this work by examining the causal relationship between vitamin D status and other cardiovascular disease-related outcomes such as lipid-related phenotypes, for example,cholesterol, inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, and type 2 diabetes and markers of glucose metabolism.

We believe that we still have a lot to find out about the effect of Vitamin D deficiency on health, and we now know that we have the tools to do so."