Vitamin D is primarily known for its role in promoting the absorption of calcium by the digestive tract, but it also has a host of other functions in the body. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D may lead to atherosclerosis, but other evidence suggests that vitamin D may help protect you from heart disease. More research needs to be done before a definitive conclusion can be reached about the role of vitamin D in atherosclerosis.
Evidence That Vitamin D Promotes Athersclerosis
Atherosclerosis and other forms of artery disease are marked by a process known as the "calcification" of arteries, which makes them stiff and narrow. A 2005 review in "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Disease" explains that high levels of vitamin D may promote calcification of the arteries partly due to the way vitamin D causes cells to handle calcium. Vitamin D may also stimulate inflammation in the arteries, which also speeds the progress of atherosclerosis.
Evidence of Protective Effects of Vitamin D
On the other hand, inadequate vitamin D intake may also cause health problems that increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis and other heart problems. Low vitamin D levels are associated with high blood pressure, and high blood pressure promotes atherosclerosis. A 2009 article in "Circulation" also notes that low vitamin D levels may promote atherosclerosis by making it harder for the body to get cholesterol out of the walls of the arteries, which would speed up the progression of atherosclerosis.
Effects of Race
The effects of vitamin D on atherosclerosis risk may also depend on your race. A 2010 article in the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" found that high vitamin D levels are associated with increased body fat and advanced atherosclerosis in African Americans. This is notable because African Americans typically have lower vitamin D levels due to differences in diet and as a consequence of darker skin, which limits vitamin D synthesis by the body.
Considerations
The role of vitamin D in the development of atherosclerosis is still being examined because different studies have found different effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular disease risk. Further complicating the issue is the fact that vitamin D may have different effects on your risk of developing atherosclerosis depending on your race. As a result, it is impossible to definitively say if vitamin D increases or decreases your risk of developing atherosclerosis. If you are concerned about your vitamin D intake, talk to your doctor to talk about your risk of developing heart disease.
References
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Disease"; Vitamin D, Shedding Light on the Development of Disease in Peripheral Arteries; P.E. Norman, et al.; 2005
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin D; Jane Higdon; 2008.
- "Circulation"; 1,25(OH) Vitamin D Inhibits Foam Cell Formation and Suppresses Macrophage Cholesterol Uptake in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Jisu Oh, et al.; 2009
- "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism"; Vitamin D, Adiposity, and Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque in African-Americans; Barry Freedman, et al.; 2010.
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