Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Jun 25, 2008 8:39 am US/Central
Low Vitamin D Levels Linked To Heart Disease Death
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Research now links low vitamin D levels with death from heart disease. (File)
CBS
A little sunshine goes a long way.
Research now links low vitamin D levels with death from heart disease, CBS station WCBS-TV in New York City reports.
"Vitamin D has major anti-inflammatory effects that we're now finding out," said Dr. Susan Thys-Jacobs from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. "We're finding that it has major effects on cytokines. And cytokines affect the heart."
According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, patients with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D were about two times as likely to die from any cause during the next eight years than those with the highest levels. That link was strongest with heart-related deaths.
"We're finding out that vitamin D is very important in disease entities such as hypertension, diabetes-mellitus, and not only osteoporosis," Dr. Thys-Jacobs says.
A number of recent studies have shown the vitamin also protects against cancer, peripheral artery disease and even tuberculosis.
Vitamin D can come from sun exposure, fish oil, and fortified foods, such as milk.
An estimated 50 percent of older adults have low levels of vitamin D, and now the problem is growing among young people.
Some potential reasons for this deficiency include decreased outdoor activities, air pollution, and a decline in the skin's ability to produce the vitamin as we age.
However, doctors insist this does not give sunbathing a green light.
"Sun exposure helps the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin," Dr. Thys-Jacobs said. "But, if you're in the sun for hours, you pose a risk of skin cancer."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood Hair
CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
