Vitamin D Deficiency Leads to Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Do you know eggs are packed with natural source of vitamin D?
Over the past several articles, I have noted the many, many health benefits attached to maintaining proper vitamin D levels. Some of these are commonly discussed issues such as bone health and others are still developing studies, such as reducing the severity of asthma symptoms. Yes, vitamin d offers countless health benefits to those who uphold a healthy balance of it. Unfortunately, it seems millions of people are completely unaware of this. For instance, in the United States alone over 50% of the population are believed to be vitamin D deficient. That’s truly a shocking number, and frightening to think that number could be cut in a half by just a few, simple life changes that most people are probably unaware of. One major health risk which vitamin D plays an active role in thwarting is cardiovascular disease.
A recent report shows that low levels of vitamin D were associated with an increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which includes all diseases caused by the obstruction of large arteries in the arms and legs, including stenosis, an embolism, or thrombus formation. In fact, the study revealed that those with the lowest vitamin D levels were at 80% increased risk for PAD. Additionally, low levels of vitamin D are associated with increasing blood pressure, a common contributor to cardiovascular problems. Another study shows that those with low vitamin D levels are 2.4 times as likely to suffer from heart attacks. Even more studies are currently ongoing to find further connections between low vitamin D levels and their connection to cardiovascular health or lack thereof.
Vitamin D deficiency affects the body in many negative ways. In fact, a recent study shows a 26% increase in all-mortality statistics related to low levels of vitamin D. This study included a sampling size of the entire general population regardless of race or gender. More and more evidence is mounting that suggests the serious affects of lack of vitamin D in the body, yet somehow this essential group of prohoromes which are important to your overall health, continue to be largely ignored.
The fact is, denying the body of proper vitamin D intake is a sure way to damage your overall health. Making sure you intake proper vitamin d levels is attributable to many factors including diet, geographic latitude, air pollutants, and sun exposure amongst other things. Spending 10-20 minutes a day with healthy sun exposure is just the right amount to assure you are nearing your proper daily intake. Furthermore, foods fortified with vitamin D are a great way to increase your daily intake.
Many types of fish as well as eggs and dairy products are packed full of natural vitamin D. If none of these options are possible for you for whatever reason, there are also vitamin D supplements which are available, but please consult your doctor before taking any of these as they can be potentially hazardous to your health if not administered properly. Maintaining heart health is essential to enjoying a long and fulfilled life, so don’t deny yourself of that pleasure by denying yourself of vitamin D.
