You may already take vitamin D nutritional supplements to benefit your bones and teeth, but did you know they could also boost the health of your heart?
People who are lacking in vitamin D may be more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, according to new research.
Findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology connect certain cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes to a vitamin D deficiency.
In addition, serious cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart failure, may be connected to low levels of the vitamin, scientists say.
Dr. James H. OKeefe of the Mid American Heart Institute suggested that nutritional supplements could help people maintain a sufficient level of vitamin D to protect their heart health.
“Vitamin D is easy to assess and supplementation is simple, safe and inexpensive,” he commented. “Vitamin D deficiency is an unrecognized, emerging cardiovascular risk factor which should be screened for and treated.”
A separate study has linked the consumption of large amounts of vitamin D to good colon health.