Vitamin D reduces risk of heart disease – study
Vitamin D is essential for the formation of bones, teeth
TAKE a vitamin D pill every day and you could find that your exercise regime improves – and you will be lowering the risk of heart disease.
According to research findings presented at the Society for Endocrinology in Edinburgh, a group of 13 healthy and fit adults, of similar age and weight, were each given a pill a day over two weeks. One part of the group was given a vitamin D pill and the other part a placebo.
Researchers found that those who took the vitamin D pill had lower blood pressure compared to those who took the placebo, and also had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the urine.
When the group did a fitness test, those who were taking vitamin D could cycle 6.5km in 20 minutes compared to being able to cycle 5km in the same time period when they started the experiment.
And, say the researchers, the group taking vitamin D supplements also showed lower signs of physical exertion.
One of the researchers, Raquel Revuelta, said in a statement that the pilot study suggested that taking vitamin D supplements could improve fitness levels and lower car- diovascular risk factors such as blood pressure.
“Our next step is to perform a larger clinical trial for a longer period of time in both healthy individuals and large groups of athletes such as cyclists or long-distance runners,” she said.
Vitamin D is both a vitamin and a hormone, and is essential for the formation of bones and teeth. It is obtained through diet, particularly oily fish and eggs, and by exposing the body’s skin to the sunlight.
Lead author of the study, Emad Al-Dujaili said: “Vitamin D deficiency is a silent syndrome linked to insulin resistance, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and a higher risk for certain cancers. Our study adds to the body of evidence showing the importance of tackling this widespread problem.”
The researchers also said up to three out of four adults with dark skin were vitamin D deficient in winter.