Low vitamin D levels linked with peripheral arterial disease
People that consume low levels of vitamin D are at a greater risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
That is according to a new study from scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, who called for further study into the effects of vitamin D on the development of the disease, which occurs when arteries in the legs become clogged up with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow.
Among people with the highest levels of vitamin D – more than 29.2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) – they found that only 3.7 per cent had PAD, while among those with the lowest levels – less than 17.8ng/mL – 8.1 per cent had the disease.
Dr Michel Melamed, lead researcher, said: "In mice, vitamin D is a regulator of one of the hormone systems that affects blood pressure. The cells in the blood vessels in the body have receptors for vitamin D, so vitamin D may have direct effects on the vessels, although this has not been fully worked out."
According to researchers at Emory University, in Georgia, taking vitamin D and calcium supplements also lowers the risk of colon cancer. The team found that the supplements increased the level of a protein in the body called Bax, which is believed to kill off precancerous cells.
People that consume low levels of vitamin D are at a greater risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
