Studies
suggest adequate levels of vitamin D are important not only in maintaining
healthy bones but also in reducing the risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke,
diabetes, hypothyroid, and autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin D is actually a hormone that the body produces when exposed to
the sun. Persons who are older, obese,
and/or have darker skin have less capacity to make vitamin D. Also, those living in colder climates such as
New York have reduced exposure to the sunlight.
And too much sun exposure can also be risky as it increases skin
cancer rates. An estimated 40%-75% of
Americans have insufficient vitamin D levels.
Low
vitamin D levels are linked to a number of risk factors for cardiovascular. It
is believed Vitamin D reduces blood vessel inflammation and therefore is an
important ingredient in the prevention of heart disease. A recent review of 75 research studies on
Vitamin D and heart disease concluded there is evidence low vitamin D levels
are associated with unhealthy blood pressure, insulin resistance, and coronary
artery disease.
What to do: Next time you
get blood work, request that your doctor check your vitamin D level. This way you can know if you are deficient or
not and how much to supplement with. Food
sources of vitamin D include fortified products such as milk, fish with bones
such as sardines, and fish liver oils.
If supplementing, be sure to choose vitamin D3 , not vitamin D2 which is
less well used by the body.
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