Research is ongoing about the health benefits of vitamin D. One area of interest is how vitamin D may help reduce the risk of heart problems.
Researchers at Intermountain Health are conducting an ongoing clinical trial looking into this topic, and their first analysis is already complete.
Reports shared at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2023Trusted Source suggest that current recommended dietary allowances are inadequate for achieving optimal serum vitamin D levels.
In this trial’s next phase, researchers will examine if optimal vitamin D levels are associated with a decreased risk for adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Why do we need vitamin D for heart health?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient and contributes to proper bone function. Research is ongoing about how vitamin D may promote health in other areas, including cardiovascular health.
However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source note that current evidence does not seem to support the claim that taking vitamin D supplements helps reduce risks for cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Mary Greene, from Manhattan Cardiology in New York, and contributor to LabFinder, not involved in the current research, explained to Medical News Today that “[m]any studies have failed to demonstrate if supplementation with Vitamin D can prevent major adverse cardiovascular events.”
- Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, and researchers are interested in how it may help in several health areas.
- One area of interest is how much vitamin D supplementation is required to achieve potential cardiac benefits.
- An initial analysis in a clinical trial suggests that the current recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D in the United States is too low to achieve optimal vitamin D levels for people with certain cardiac problems.
- Future research in this area will seek to determine if achieving optimal vitamin D levels can decrease the risk for adverse cardiovascular events.
Want to know more: http://tinyurl.com/VitDHeartHealth
