Vitamin D Good For the Heart
Vitamin D has been in the news a lot lately – studies promoting the positive effects of the “sunshine vitamin” on the immune system, cancer, bone strength, depression. This study, published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, calls vitamin D a heart tranquilizer.
In the study, cells from the cells treated with activated vitamin D did not grow bigger in the heart muscle. The treatments prevented hypertrophy in rats and protected heart muscles from overstimulation and the increased contractions that are commonly associated with the progression of heart failure.
The U-M researchers used a breed of rats predisposed to develop human-like heart failure and measured the effects of activated vitamin D given to rats given a normal or high salt diet compared to control group rats given either of the same diets but no vitamin D supplementation. The rats on the high-salt diet were expected to develop heart failure within only a few months.
After 13 weeks of the study, the high-risk rats on the high salt diet that were given activated vitamin D had lower levels of several key indicators associated with heart failure than the untreated high-salt rats in the study. The treated group also had a lower heart weight and the left ventricles were smaller indicating that heart function did not deteriorate as it did in the untreated rats. Decreased heart weight was found in the normal group that was treated as opposed to the untreated group.
Sunlight causes the body to make vitamin D, vitamin D is present in small amounts in foods, are available in supplements, but, according to this study, vitamin D analogs will more than likely be the treatment of choice in the future. Vitamin D analogs are already on the market for certain conditions, but a drawback is the undesirable increased blood calcium levels. Labs are conducting studies to find a safer, less toxic vitamin D analog. Until then, most physicians are recommending 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day. The tolerable upper limit for vitamin D is 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
Ryan W. responds:
Posted: June 27th, 2008 at 3:11 pm →
I found a blog post that makes an interesting argument that some of the studies showing lower Vit. D linked to increased mortality in osteoporosis and autoimmune disease are showing an effect of infection and Vit. D receptor disregulation rather than simple deficiency.
You won’t find any actual research that shows vitamin D + calcium increases bone density above calcium alone, though some people
still assert that conclusion. Vitamin D raises blood levels of calcium, yes. But not bone density.
Many people with low 25D have high 1,25D which is a product of 25D
That argues against deficiency in some cases. And in favor of infection + occasionally dysregulation of the Vitamin D Receptor resulting in overproduction of
1,25D from 25D (which leads to low levels of 25D, which appears like deficiency)
bacteriality.com/2007/09/15/vitamind/
They say high levels of 25D deactivates the Vitamin D receptor based on molecular modeling, though. That part I question. How much D3 supplementation does it take to maximize cathelidicin production?
I cannot find a direct answer to that question, and it should be simple.
Similarly Vit. D3 isn’t the only thing that we get from sunlight.
sunlight
1) Helps break down bilirubin, a somewhat toxic breakdown product of hemoglobin.
2) Helps (not just through the eyes, but through the skin) keep your 24-hour rhythms in sync - so you’re tired at night, not during the day.
3) Helps avoid seasonal depression.