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Vitamin D is important for several reasons. A deficiency in vitamin D causes rickets and prevents children from reaching their peak bone mass. In adults, the lack of vitamin D contributes to osteoporosis and the painful bone disease osteomalacia.
We have suspected for a long time that vitamin D deficiency might also cause heart disease. A New Zealand study reported in 1990 showed that heart attack victims had lower levels of vitamin D in their bodies than people who did not have heart attacks. A 1998 study showed that heart attacks increased by 53 percent during winter months when sunlight is less available.
More recent studies have found that adequate levels of vitamin D helps reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity. These variables all decrease the risk of heart disease. A study of Japanese dialysis patients indicates that returning the patients vitamin D to appropriate levels reduced heart attacks and death from heart disease.
Vitamin D is important for several reasons. A deficiency in vitamin D causes rickets and prevents children from reaching their peak bone mass. In adults, the lack of vitamin D contributes to osteoporosis and the painful bone disease osteomalacia.
We have suspected for a long time that vitamin D deficiency might also cause heart disease. A New Zealand study reported in 1990 showed that heart attack victims had lower levels of vitamin D in their bodies than people who did not have heart attacks. A 1998 study showed that heart attacks increased by 53 percent during winter months when sunlight is less available.
More recent studies have found that adequate levels of vitamin D helps reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity. These variables all decrease the risk of heart disease. A study of Japanese dialysis patients indicates that returning the patients vitamin D to appropriate levels reduced heart attacks and death from heart disease.
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