Senior Citizens with High Levels of Vitamin D at
Less Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes
Review of 28 studies finds the vitamin associated
with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes
and metabolic syndrome for seniors and middle aged
Feb. 16, 2010 - Middle aged and elderly people with
high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart
disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University
of Warwick.
Researchers also urging close monitoring of elderly
with hypertension during weather extremes; second study says thinking
ability varies with blood pressure
A team of researchers at Warwick Medical School
carried out a systematic literature review of studies examining vitamin
D and cardiometabolic disorders. Cardiometabolic disorders include
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic
syndrome.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is
naturally present in some foods and is also produced when ultraviolet
rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Fish
such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are good sources of vitamin D, and it
is also available as a dietary supplement.
Researchers looked at 28 studies including 99,745
participants across a variety of ethnic groups including men and women.
The studies revealed a significant association
between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing the
three disorders:
● cardiovascular disease (33% compared to low levels of vitamin D),
● type 2 diabetes (55% reduction) and
● metabolic syndrome (51% reduction).
The literature review, published in the journal
Maturitas, was led by Johanna Parker and Dr Oscar Franco, Assistant
Professor in Public Health at Warwick Medical School.
Dr Franco said: We found that high levels of
vitamin D among middle age and elderly populations are associated with a
substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and
metabolic syndrome.
Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult
populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of
cardiometabolic disorders.
All studies included were published between 1990
and 2009 with the majority published between 2004 and 2009. Half of the
studies were conducted in the United States, eight were European, two
studies were from Iran, three from Australasia and one from India.
Note:
The study, Levels of vitamin D and cardiometabolic
disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis, is published in
Maturitas. Parker J, Hashmi O, Dutton D, Mavrodaris A, Stranges S,
Kandala NB, Clarke A, Franco OH. Levels of vitamin D and cardiometabolic
disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas. 2010 Feb;
65:225-236.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Feb. 16, 2010 - Middle aged and elderly people with
high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart
disease or diabetes by 43%, according to researchers at the University
of Warwick. 
Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult
populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of
cardiometabolic disorders.