Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol. Statin drugs lower circulating "bad" LDL cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. There has been some concern that taking these drugs may lower vitamin D levels. However, recent studies indicate the opposite may be true: Statin drugs may increase circulating vitamin D.
Statins' Effect on Vitamin D
According to a research paper published in 2009 in the journal "Cardiovascular Drugs Therapy," there was a significant increase in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is the storage form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D -- the active form -- in patients treated with rosuvastatin for eight weeks. Research reported in the journal "Clinical Chemistry" in 2010 documented a similar increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients treated with atorvastatin for three months.
Vitamin D and Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are above normal levels in the blood and "good" HDL cholesterol is low. This condition is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recent research indicates an association between low vitamin D levels and hyperlipidemia. Low levels of vitamin D were associated with low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in research reported in the "Journal of Internal Medicine" in 2010. Some of the beneficial effects of statins may be due to their increasing vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Muscle Pain in Patients on Statins
Patients on statins sometimes suffer from muscle pain. According to a study in the journal "Translational Research," such patients tend to have lower vitamin D levels than patients who do not have muscle pain. Supplementing with vitamin D eliminated muscle pain in 92 percent of vitamin D-deficient statin patients in the study.
Healthy Vitamin D Levels
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, normal blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D range from 20 to 50 ng/mL, or 50-125 nanomoles per liter, or nmol/L. A level below 32 ng/mL was associated with muscle pain in the statin study. Ask your doctor if you would like to be tested.
The dietary reference intake for vitamin D is 15 mcg or 600 international units per day for most people. For those over 70 years of age, the recommendation is 20 mcg or 800 IU. Fatty fish is a good source of vitamin D. Low-fat dairy products and orange juice and cereal that are supplemented with vitamin D are additional sources. As little as 20 minutes of skin exposure to sunlight will help the body synthesize vitamin D. Consult with your doctor if you are interested in vitamin D supplements.
References
- "Cardiovascular Drugs Therapy"; Increased Levels of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D After Rosuvastatin Treatment: A Novel Pleiotropic Effect of Statins?; B. Yavuz, et al.; 2009
- "Clinical Chemistry"; Atorvastatin Increases 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; T. Sathyapalan, et al.; 2010
- "Journal of Internal Medicine"; Diverse Associations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxy-Vitamin D With Dyslipidaemias; P. Karhapää, et al. 2010
- "Translational Research: the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine"; Low Serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D Levels (<32 ng/mL) Are Associated With Reversible Myositis-Myalgia in Statin-Treated Patients; W. Ahmed, et al.; 2009
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Vitamin D Fact Sheet
Member Comments