Early last year, Prof Elina Hyppönen, director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health at the University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, and her team found evidence that vitamin D deficiency can increase blood pressure and the risk of CVD. However, increasing vitamin D concentrations will only be helpful for those participants who ‘need it’ and further benefit from elevating concentrations beyond the nutritional requirement if they exist.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone that interacts with vitamin D receptors (VDR) to regulate physiological processes and impact the metabolism of calcium and bones as they perform crucial functions in the body, such as those regulating inflammation and immune function. Sufficient vitamin D consumption may promote healthy immune function and lower the risk of autoimmune disorders.
Lack of vitamin D deficiency Problem
Lack of vitamin D leads to musculoskeletal such as rickets, bone fractures, osteoma Lacia, osteopenia, muscle weakness, and non-skeletal problems such as- Cardiovascular conditions and risk factors such as hypertension, impaired systolic and diastolic function, abdominal aortic aneurysm in older men, nonvalvular AF, and congestive heart failure are some examples of non-skeletal consequences.
Additionally, it was associated with burning injuries, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancers, schizophrenia, depression, cognitive deficits, common obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and metabolic syndrome. Other adults are at a much higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to reduced Vitamin D intake and decreased cutaneous synthesis.
Vitamin D deficiency may raise heart disease risk by promoting inflammation, high blood pressure, calcium imbalance, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction. This deficiency can disrupt heart rhythm and contribute to arterial stiffness, accelerating atherosclerosis. While maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is crucial, it’s just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to heart health, including lifestyle changes and medical management.
Vitamin D deficiency cause
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, although the precise mechanisms linking the two are still being studied. Here are several ways in which vitamin D deficiency may contribute to heart disease:
- Inflammation: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease as it can lead to damage to blood vessels and promote the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
- Blood Pressure Regulation: Vitamin D plays a role in regulating blood pressure. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Calcium Regulation: Vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels in the body, which is crucial for the proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to calcium imbalance, which may contribute to arterial stiffness and calcification, both of which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
- Insulin Sensitivity: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism, which are risk factors for diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease.
- Endothelial Dysfunction: Vitamin D deficiency may impair endothelial function, which is the ability of blood vessels to dilate and constrict as needed. Endothelial dysfunction is a precursor to atherosclerosis and can contribute to the development of heart disease.
- Heart Rhythm Abnormalities: Some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of certain heart rhythm abnormalities, such as atrial fibrillation, although more studies are needed to confirm this link.
It’s important to note that while vitamin D deficiency may be a contributing factor to heart disease, it is often just one of many risk factors. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D through sunlight exposure, dietary sources, or supplements, along with other heart-healthy lifestyle habits, can help reduce the risk of heart disease. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and heart disease.
Vitamin D provides health benefit.
Vitamin D provides several health benefits to the human body and anti-inflammatory properties that help blood pressure and reduces the risk of CVD cases caused by its deficiency. Adequate levels of Vitamin D keep your heart and blood vessels in good working condition. It strengthens the lining of blood vessel walls to allow blood to flow freely.
A study by Ohio University used tiny sensors, about 1,000 times smaller than a human hair, to look at blood vessel cells while injecting them with a form of vitamin D called vitamin D3. The study showed that vitamin D3 repairs heart damage and blood vessels caused by high blood pressure.
How should we make up for the deficiency?
Thankfully, only moderate levels of Vitamin D are enough to maintain cardiac health. The sun is the primary source of our Vitamin D consumption. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, and sources are oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, red meat, and egg yolks, and fortified foods such as fat spreads and breakfast cereals. Supplementation can be done naturally and should never be above optimal levels.
Human and Animal
Both animal and human studies have shown the connection between low vitamin D levels, cardiovascular illnesses, and risk factors. However, there are conflicting findings in the research and trials on the impact of vitamin D supplementation through pills on cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension.
Consequently, large, randomized controlled trials are necessary, if successful, can improve our health and give us a simple and affordable method of vitamin D supplementation. A 2018 study called VITAL found that you do not need more vitamin D than required for bone health to have optimal heart health. And moderate to high vitamin D supplementation did not appear to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
