Vitamin D Supplements

New study just released on Vitamin D and heart health risks factors.

Researchers followed 27,686 people, aged 50 and older, with no history of cardiovascular disease. The participants were divided into three groups based on their vitamin D levels: normal (more than 30 nanograms per milliliter), low (15 to 30 nanograms per milliliter), or very low (less than 15 nanograms per milliliter).

After one year of follow-up, those with very low levels of vitamin D were 77 percent more likely to die, 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease and 78 percent more likely to have a stroke, and twice as likely to develop heart failure compared to people with normal vitamin D levels, the researchers found.

"We concluded that among patients 50 years of age or older, even a moderate deficiency of vitamin D levels was associated with developing coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke and death," study co-author Heidi May, an epidemiologist with the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, said in a news release from the center.

Source: http://www.wxtx.com/Global/story.asp?S=11519986

Comments for Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Increased Heart Health Risks

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 by Dr. Susan Thorpe-Vargas:: concentrations need to be higher for MS patients
Thursday, February 4, 2010 by PAUL SCOTT:: I TAKE 1000 IU A DAY, IS THAT ENOUGH?
Thursday, February 4, 2010 by Leslie:: Paul - In answer to your question - it really depends on many factors. First, you should have your blood level tested to see where you are at. If its low (below 35), you will need to take more until its at a normal, healthy level (50 to 70). If you have MS, please check with your doctor to see how much you need, or if you have any other medical issues or are taking other medications. It can also depend on your weight. The bigger you are the more you need. Dr. James Dowd, author of The Vitamin D Cure (great book by the way) says to take 20IU/lb. of body weight. So if you weigh 150 lbs, that would be 3,000 IU. Dr. Holick, a leading expert on Vitamin D, says take between 1,000 - 2,0000 IU.