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Vitamin D Levels Affect Vulnerability to Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes or Cancer

Low levels of vitamin D are linked to a range of serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression, diabetes, osteoporosis and falls among elderly people. Two new studies analyzed data from prior research involving over one million people. In one of the meta-analyses, scientists found that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood streams were 35 percent more likely to die of heart disease and 14 percent more likely to die of cancer. The second study found that subjects with the highest circulating vitamin D levels were resistant to stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments.

Despite the clear relationship between blood levels of vitamin D levels and the overall risk of illness and death, there was no clear evidence that vitamin D supplements would be beneficial. One set of investigators suggested that vitamin D might be best obtained with a healthy diet high in fish, fortified dairy products, mushrooms and kale.

Regular exposure to 30 minutes of sunlight twice weekly can also boost blood levels of this critical vitamin. If supplements are taken, the evidence is accumulating that vitamin D3 trumps vitamin D2, a form that doctors often prescribe.

[BMJ, April 1, 2014]

We offer more information on vitamin D blood levels, supplements and health effects in our Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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