Vitamin D Deficiency & Cad

Vitamin D's functions go far beyond just bones and calcium. A vitamin D deficiency may also increase your risk of coronary artery disease, a condition marked by occluded blood vessels that can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke. This serious condition is life threatening, but you may be able to reduce your risk simply by getting enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D Deficiency

A simple blood test can determine if you are vitamin D deficient. Normal levels of vitamin D inside your blood are at or above 30 ng/dL. You are considered to be vitamin D deficient when your levels fall below 15 ng/dL. Adults under the age of 70 are directed to take in 600 IU of vitamin D daily. As you age, your need increases, so adults 70 and over should get 800 IU per day.

Vitamin D and CAD

The Framingham Heart Study's offspring research analyzed the effects of vitamin D on coronary artery disease. Results were published in "Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association" in 2008. The results indicate that even when other risk factors are considered, there is a direct correlation between a vitamin D deficiency and the development of heart disease. The 1,730 participants were followed for almost 5 1/2 years; their vitamin D status and rates of heart disease were analyzed. Results indicate that those with 15 ng/dL or less of vitamin D double their risk for heart disease. Those with low levels of vitamin D are 62 percent more likely to have a cardiovascular-related event than those with a healthy and adequate amount of vitamin D.

Mechanism

Vitamin D is influential on the state of your blood vessels. A lack of vitamin D leads to stiffer, less pliable blood vessels, reports a study conducted by Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute in April 2011. The study measured vitamin D blood levels compared with the ability of blood vessels to constrict and relax. The trend among the 554 subjects was that the less vitamin D, the less pliable the blood vessels. Harder vessels means an increase in blood pressure which is a direct cause of heart disease.

Sources

In general, dietary sources of vitamin D are inadequate to meet your needs, this may be why most people are not able to meet their vitamin D intakes. Some dietary sources of vitamin D include fish, eggs and fortified dairy and grain products. Most of your vitamin D intake can be met by absorbing it through the sun. Your body is able to take in sun rays and make vitamin D. Basking in the sun for five to 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. is usually enough to meet your requirements.

Vitamin D Deficiency & CAD