Today, as part of our What is Vitamin D Good For? series, we discuss the several roles that vitamin D plays in maintaining cardiovascular health. Vitamin D acts as a protector and regulator so it is able to enhance the functioning of all types of cells, tissues and organs to keep us healthy. So far, we have covered how vitamin D contributes to the health of the musculoskeletal system, dermatological system, reproductive system, respiratory system and to cognitive and mental-emotional wellness. A deficit in vitamin D can lead to impairment or disease in each of these systems – from brittle bones to heart disease, cancer and dementia. With this in mind, why take a chance at being deficient in vitamin D?

Vitamin D has a direct effect on vascular cells and plays a role in normalizing blood pressure, blood sugar, calcifications, and smooth muscle function.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, making strategies to help prevent and treat CVD of utmost importance.  

A recently reviewed study found that the prevalence of multiple CVD conditions was significantly higher among those with vitamin D deficiency compared to those without deficiency. The study found that those with vitamin D deficiency also had significantly higher rates of severe or extreme disability following CVD events, and were more likely to have a non-home discharge from the hospital, compared to those without deficiency.

Another study looked specifically at the association between vitamin D and peripheral arterial disease (a condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs) in patients with type 2 diabetes, and found that those with vitamin D levels below 10 ng/ml (25 nmol/L) were about 4 times more likely to suffer from peripheral arterial disease than those with a level of at least 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/L).  

Since inflammation is a known risk-factor for CVD, one study looked at the association between C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, vitamin D levels, and CVD risk. Their data came from 3,848 participants who had reported ever being diagnosed with stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or coronary heart disease by a doctor. Their analysis found that those with vitamin D levels less than 10 ng/ml (25 nmol/L) had a 90% increased risk of CVD compared to those with levels at or above 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L) (P=0.03).  When both vitamin D and CRP were considered together, participants with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml and CRP levels at or above 0.2 mg/dL had twice the risk of CVD compared to participants with vitamin D levels at or above 20 ng/ml and CRP levels less than 0.2 mg/dL (P=0.0002). Additionally, when the association between vitamin D and CVD was assessed for those with CRP at or above vs. below 0.2 mg/dL, a significant association was only observed for the higher CRP group. These findings indicate that improving vitamin D status is particularly important in relation to CVD risk for those with higher CRP levels.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of the adult population in the United States has high blood pressure, and many of them are unaware that they have it. With no outward symptoms in most cases, it has been labeled a “silent killer.” Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other health consequences leading to premature death.  

Using the data you provided for the GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute study, we assessed the association between vitamin D level and risk of being diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) among participants aged 50 years and older.

We compared hypertension incidence rates according to vitamin D level. The incidence rate among those with vitamin D levels of 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/L) or higher was 51% lower than the rate among those with vitamin D levels less than 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L) (P=0.02).

This suggests that increasing vitamin D levels above 40 ng/ml could reduce hypertension risk. While we did not have enough participants in the lower vitamin D level range (less than 20-30 ng/ml) to analyze as its own group, it is likely that the risk reduction would be even higher if we were able to compare the rates in those lower levels.

The effects of the sun go well beyond the production of vitamin D. For example, in addition to vitamin D-producing UVB light, the sun also emits UVA light which initiates the production of nitric oxide in our bodies. Benefits from increased nitric oxide production include dilated coronary arteries, lowered blood pressure, and reduced risk of angina – a condition characterized by severe chest pain and inadequate blood supply to the heart.  In fact, research suggests that avoidance or lack of sunshine may be a risk factor for increased blood pressure and death from heart attacks, with one study concluding that avoidance of sunshine resulted in a shorter life expectancy comparable to the shortened life expectancy of smokers!

Don’t forget that vitamin D works along with other essential nutrients for our health. For our respiratory health, these include:

By joining the GrassrootsHealth projects, you are not only contributing valuable information to our study, but you are also gaining knowledge about how you could improve your own health through measuring and tracking your nutrient status, and educating yourself on how to improve it. Do you know what your status of vitamin D, omega-3s, and other essential nutrients is? Could your levels be improved? Test now to find out!

We now have a NEW GIFTING SERVICE that allows you to quickly send ‘Gift Cards’ to friends, family and coworkers who you consider might need immediate access to testing, and to Claim the Joy of Your Health TODAY. Give the gift today!

It's TIME to start saving lives! If you can help PREVENT the majority of the death, it's time! What's it costing you/us not to take action NOW?

There is much published research that supports a clear link between vitamin D and COVID-19 showing that higher vitamin D levels are related to:

Everyone needs vitamin D! Here’s how to tell how much you might need, and who may need more – people who are overweight or who have darker skin are among those at increased risk of deficiency.

Be sure to educate yourself on the benefits and importance of vitamin D for immune health, and take steps to ensure you and your loved ones are getting enough.

You can review all of the COVID-19 and immune health information we have shared on this page.

Correcting a vitamin D deficiency at any age and any time of life decrease potential disease severity and improve outcomes! Test your vitamin D level today, learn what steps to take to improve your level, and take action to achieve and maintain a vitamin D level of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).

Using the GrassrootsHealth Custom Kit Builder, you can create a test kit that measures your status of vitamin D and other important nutrients (such as omega-3s, zinc and magnesium), as well as your CRP level to measure inflammation. Click here to build and order your test kit today – measure your status and take the steps necessary to improve them if needed; make an impact on your health today and for your future! When you know what your levels are, you can determine next steps to take and how much supplementation may be needed if you are not at your target levels.

Enroll now with the Full Immune Boost Panel (which includes tests for vitamin D, Omega-3 Index, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, and hsCRP), and get 10% off when you use coupon code BoostTen at checkout.

NEWS ALERT: States, Governments Acknowledge the Need for Vitamin D to Build the Immune System;

Vitamin D*action has achieved a major milestone of ‘Moving Research into PRACTICE’!

EVERYONE needs to know about the benefits of vitamin D... We need your help to do this. Donating $25.00 today will positively affect millions of lives!

We will take this opportunity to use our extensive network to get pertinent information on vitamin D to the new US COVID Panel as well as local and state government representatives around the world.

Donate $25 today (or more) to help support this outreach effort (and, let us know if your employer could match the donations made by individuals from now until January 1, 2021!). You can also "text-to-give" by simply texting Daction to 44321.

STEP 1 - Do you know what your vitamin D level is? If not, be sure to test today to find out.

STEP 2 – Determine your target level. Are you at your target level? Experts recommend a level of at least 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).

STEP 3 – Need to boost your level? Use the D*calculator to see how much vitamin D it may take to reach your target. Opt for the Loading Dose for a quicker boost.

STEP 4 – Optimize how your body absorbs and utilizes vitamin D with co-nutrients and these simple steps.

STEP 5 – Re-Test! This is an important step to make sure you have reached your target level, and to ensure you are not taking too much! Re-testing after 3-4 months is recommended.

STEP 6 – Adjust, Repeat…

Have a beautiful and HEALTHY day.

Onwards,