Vitamin D could improve blood pressure and cholesterol, study says
A vitamin supplement available in most supermarkets and high street shops could significantly improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk for other cardiovascular diseases, according to a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by institutions from China and the United States.
The review analysed 99 randomised control trials (RCTs) involving a total of 17,656 participants.
It revealed that vitamin D supplementation, with a median dose of 3320 International Units (IU) per day, was associated with positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A1C.
Benefits were most pronounced in certain groups, particularly non-Western populations, those with a BMI below 30, individuals aged 50 or above, and those whose vitamin D levels were below a certain threshold (15 ng·mL−1 (nanograms per millilitre of blood)). Benefits were also noticed more in longer testing cycles of more than three months.
These findings suggest that more research could be done taking into account individual characteristics like ethnocultural background and baseline vitamin D levels.
And, it backs up existing research which shows that chronic heart failure is often linked to vitamin D deficiency – and that low vitamin D is connected to a greater risk of death in those with heart failure, according to the American College of Cardiology.
How much vitamin D do I need?
The NHS says children from the age of one and adults need 10 micrograms (mcg), or 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D a day. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
From late March to the end of September, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin. However, in the autumn and winter, you can choose to take a supplement.
The NHS also warns that taking more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) per day could be harmful, and too much vitamin D over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body, weakening the bones and damaging the kidneys and heart.
It's uncertain how the study's vitamin D dosage of 3,320 IU measures up, but it certainly seems close to the danger zone....
Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. If you are concerned about the right dosage, ask your doctor for more information about what's best for you.
Best vitamin D supplements to try
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