Low vitamin D doubles heart risk in diabetics
By David Liu (davidl@foodconsumer.org)
A new study suggests that diabetics may be better off taking some vitamin D supplements because low levels of this vitamin may double the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes.
The study was conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and published in the Aug 25 issue of the journal Circulation.
Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, M.D., a Washington University endocrinologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and colleagues found that diabetics deficient in vitamin D can't process cholesterol normally. As a result, cholesterol builds up in blood vessels raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin D at certain levels is supposed to inhibit the uptake of cholesterol by cells called macrophages. Without sufficient vitamin D, the macrophage cells eat more cholesterol than they normally do and they can't get rid of it and get clogged with cholesterol stiffening blood vessels and blocking blood flow.
People with diabetes are more likely than healthy people to be deficient in vitamin D. According to a news report released Aug 21 by the University, the likelihood of low vitamin D levels in women with diabetes is a third higher than those with the disease.
It has been known that diabetes patients are more likely than those without the disease to die from heart attack. The current study suggests that the missing link could be the status of vitamin D.
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Readers may also be interested in the Grassrootshealth video
YouTube - Vitamin D and Diabetes-Can We Prevent it?
The simple way to ensure you are getting sufficient vitamin d3 from supplements or from sunshine (diet can at best only supply 10% of our 5000iu/daily need) is to regularly get 25(OH)D tested.
Grassrootshealth D Action
are a charity promoting vitamin D awareness and as part of a study trying to be more precise about what Vitamin D status is associated with least disease incidence are trying to follow the 25(OH)D status of 10,000 volunteers and their need for hospital treatment.
As part of this trial you can get 25(OH)D tested by post at cost price ($40). Currently it looks like 40~60ng/ml is going to be associated with least chronic illness, with the smart money going on 55ng/ml as overall the best for both physical muscular performance and with human breast milk flowing replete with D3 the best level for pregnant and nursing mothers.
If you search the online vitamin suppliers you should be able to find a 5000iu/d/D3 in an olive oil based capsule for around $15 for 360 so it's not an expensive business to lower your heart disease, cancer and diabetes risk level.
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