Low vitamin D levels linked to increased heart attack risk: study
11.06.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Men who have low levels of vitamin D may have a higher risk of heart attack, suggests new research. The study examined the blood levels of vitamin D in 18,255 men between the ages of 40 and 75 who had no heart problems at the time of blood collection. Ninety-nine per cent of the samples were collected between April 1, 1993, and Nov. 30, 1995. The men were then followed for 10 years. During that decade, 454 of the study's participants had non-fatal heart attacks or experienced the onset of fatal heart disease. The blood samples of 900 men with no cardiovascular disease were compared to those of the 454 who developed it. Self-administered questionnaires about diets and lifestyle patterns were also filled out by participants. Researchers found that men who had low levels of vitamin D (15 nanograms per millitre of blood) were 2.4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those with an adequate amount (30 nanograms per millilitre.) Men with intermediate levels of vitamin D (between 22.6 and 29.9 nanograms per millitre) had a higher risk of heart attack than those with sufficient vitamin D levels. The authors called for an increase in the current recommended daily intake of vitamin D; they didn't set a maximum. "Vitamin D deficiency has been related to an increasing number of conditions and to total mortality," write the authors. "If this association is causal, which remains to be established, the amount of vitamin D required for optimal benefit may be much higher that would be provided by current recommendations (200 to 600 IU/day), especially in those with minimal sun exposure." The U.S.-based Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has set 2,000 IU of vitamin D as the daily maximum tolerable amount. Health Canada warns exceeding the limit could lead to an overdose that could cause kidney stones as well as damage to the heart, lungs and blood vessels. The study was published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksIN DEPTH: Vitamin DTake vitamin D to reduce cancer risk, Canadian Cancer Society advisesVideo Maureen Taylor reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 1:53)Play: QuickTime »Play: Real Media »Health HeadlinesCancer risk factors to be studied in large-scale studyA sweeping study on how genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle choices play a part in the development of cancer was launched Wednesday.FDA official says baby bottles with bisphenol A safePlastic baby bottles and water bottles are safe, a U.S. federal health official said Tuesday, seeking to ease public concerns about the health hazards of a chemical used in the products.Number of Ontarians with diabetes projected to hit 1.2 million by 2010Ontario's Ministry of Health predicts 1.2 million people in the province will have diabetes by 2010, more than double the figure from the year 2000. Smoking, high BMI may lead to hearing loss, study suggestsYour hearing may be negatively affected by smoking and a high body mass index, a new study finds, though drinking alcohol may stave off hearing loss. Toronto woman seeks bone marrow transplant from donor of Chinese descentA bone marrow agency is stepping up its campaign to find a match for a Toronto woman of Chinese descent suffering from leukemia. Health FeaturesHealthVitamin DBoning up on the sunshine vitaminCONSUMERCalorie trackerHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosJoints are just fine, thank youHEALTHFixing pharmaStem cells could lead to better, safer drugsVIDEONutritionIs organic worth the extra cost? (5:02)People who read this also read …
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