Posted by: Kevin G. Parker, D.C.
Pub Med: Am J Cardiol. 2012 Feb 1;109(3):359-63. Epub 2011 Nov 8.
Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation and relation to cardiovascular health.
Vacek JL, Vanga SR, Good M, Lai SM, Lakkireddy D, Howard PA.
Mid America Cardiology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
Key Points:
1. Several studies have found that low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and premature death.
2. A University of Kansas Hospital study of more than 10,000 people found that vitamin D deficiency increased the death rate (deaths per year) by 100 percent.
3. Taking Vit D supplements reduced the death risk by 60 percent.
4. They recommended that adults take 1,000 to 2,000 IU’s of Vit D each day.
5. The supplement will only help you live longer if you are vit. D deficient.
6. Important: Remember up to 70% of Americans have low levels of Vit. D.
Abstract
Recent evidence supports an association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation, however, has not been well studied.
We examined the associations between vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation, and patient outcomes in a large cohort.
Serum vitamin D measurements for 5 years and 8 months from a large academic institution were matched to patient demographic, physiologic, and disease variables.
The vitamin D levels were analyzed as a continuous variable and as normal (≥30 ng/ml) or deficient (<30 ng/ml).
Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazard modeling were performed.
Of 10,899 patients, the mean age was 58 ± 15 years, 71% were women (n = 7,758), and the average body mass index was 30 ± 8 kg/m(2).
The mean serum vitamin D level was 24.1 ± 13.6 ng/ml.
Of the 10,899 patients, 3,294 (29.7%) were in the normal vitamin D range and 7,665 (70.3%) were deficient.
Vitamin D deficiency was associated with several cardiovascular-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes (all p <0.05).
Vitamin D deficiency was a strong independent predictor of all-cause death (odds ratios 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.901 to 3.662, p <0.0001) after adjusting for multiple clinical variables.
Vitamin D supplementation conferred substantial survival benefit (odds ratio for death 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.277 to 0.534, p <0.0001).
In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced survival.
Vitamin D supplementation was significantly associated with better survival, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.
Other good Vit D articles:
1. Vit D for Cancer Prevention-Annals of Epidemiology 2009
2. Vit D- Reduction in breast cancer risk-Cancer Causes Ctrl 2010
3. Vit D2 versus D3-Meta Analysis-John J. Cannell, M.D.
4. Vit D3 and the Flu-Epidemiology and Infection-2007
5. Vit. D- The Food and Nutrition Board has failed millions
6. Vit. D-What We Have Learned About Vitamin D Dosing
7. Vitamin D Supplementation: An Update-U.S. Pharmacist 11/11/2010
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