Vitamin D for Better Cardiovascular Health

Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to everything from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes to dementia, obesity, and even death. In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may negatively affect the cardiovascular system, above and beyond other established cardiovascular risk factors.

Harvard researchers found that men with vitamin D deficiency were 142% more likely to suffer from a heart attack than men with sufficient levels of the vitamin. Vitamin D may also affect mood and mental function. Increased intakes may slow age-related losses in mental function and may lead to mood improvements and protect against depression.

Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods (such as oily fish, liver and egg yolks), although milk and some foods and juices are fortified with Vitamin D. Many health experts, including Harvard Medical School, now agree that dietary supplements are the key way to meet daily vitamin D requirements