Study Shows Vitamin D Plays Role in Preventing Heart Disease
by Jennifer Bunn, RNMore and more studies are pointing to the fact that vitamin D is important in disease prevention. Scientists studied the genetic material of 617 people stored in a DNA data bank. They divided the people into three groups: those who were healthy, those who had hypertension, and those who had both hypertension and CHF (congestive heart failure).
What they discovered is that those who suffered from both conditions, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, had an abnormality in the CYP27B1 gene. This gene is associated with a reduction in the rate at which the body converts vitamin D which has been stored into active vitamin D that the body can readily use. Researchers point out that this means that, in future, they may be able to screen people for this an abnormality in this gene earlier. Knowing that someone has this gene may mean that that person requires more vitamin D from their diet and more daily exposure to UVB rays present in sunlight, although researchers point out that more studies will need to be done to confirm their findings.
Vitamin D has been researched extensively in recent times, and is thought to have a protective effect against certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, insulin sensitivity, depression and hypertension.
Source: American Heart Association (2008). Lack Of Vitamin D May Increase Heart Disease Risk. ScienceDaily.
