A recent study suggests that personalized vitamin D supplementation could help improve cardiovascular health. Researchers found that targeted doses, particularly for non-Western populations, older adults and people with low baseline levels, can “significantly” reduce cardiometabolic risks.
This approach could change prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases, one of the main health problems worldwide.
Personalized Vitamin D Strategies
A study published in the journal Engineering shows the implications of personalized therapeutic strategies targeting cardiovascular disease and associated risks through vitamin D supplementation. The comprehensive study analyzed 99 randomized controlled trials involving 17,656 participants.
The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for children under 12 months, 600 IU for people aged 1 to 70 years, and 800 IU for people aged over 70 years. However, researchers found that vitamin D supplementation, with a median dose of 3,320 IU per day, correlated with favorable changes in various cardiometabolic risk factors.
Improvements included reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, three-month average blood sugar, and fasting blood insulin.
The benefits of vitamin D supplementation were more pronounced in specific demographic groups. The most significant effects were observed in:
• non-Western populations.
• people whose baseline vitamin D level was less than 15 nanograms per milliliter.
• People with a body mass index below 30.
• People aged 50 and over.
The study authors highlighted the need for personalized vitamin D intervention strategies that take into account individual characteristics such as ethnocultural background, age, body mass index and vitamin D levels. basic. They also noted that longer intervention durations (three months or more) and higher doses could optimize cardiometabolic health outcomes in targeted populations.
These results could advance preventive medicine and nutritional sciences and lead to more effective public health strategies. By personalizing vitamin D supplementation based on individual characteristics, healthcare providers could improve the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases.
The researchers recommend future studies to investigate the mechanisms behind the observed effects and explore the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation on chronic diseases. They also emphasize the importance of examining the long-term effects and potential risks associated with high-dose supplementation.
Risk factors
Although some observational studies and meta-analyses, such as this study, show an association between low vitamin D status and risk of hypertension and cardiovascular events, most randomized trials have not shown a benefit. cardiovascular effects of vitamin D supplementation, told Epoch Times Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor of Fortune Recommends Health.
“The current theory is that vitamin D may contribute to heart health by reducing inflammation and controlling blood pressure, which could reduce plaque buildup in the arteries,” he said. “However, further research is needed to confirm the reasons for this phenomenon. »
According to Dr. Dasgupta, besides vitamin D levels, other critical factors can affect cardiovascular health:
• High blood pressure: it can damage the arteries.
• Cholesterol imbalance: too much “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and too little “good” cholesterol (HDL) can cause plaque buildup, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Lifestyle choices: These include smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Poorly controlled diabetes: High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves related to the heart.
• Overweight: it can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Supplementation is not recommended for everyone
“Taking vitamin D supplements for the sole purpose of preventing heart disease is generally not recommended for everyone,” Dr. Dasgupta said.
“While maintaining vitamin D levels within a healthy range is important for overall well-being, particularly for bone health, there is no strong evidence that it directly reduces the risk of disease. cardiac. It is best to consult a healthcare professional to find out if you need a supplement, especially if you are at risk of a deficiency or have other health problems. »
He advises taking a “whole-person approach” to heart health, which includes the following:
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• managing risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Supplementation can be beneficial for people with low vitamin D levels, but Dr. Dasgupta emphasized that supplementation should be based on specific health needs. It is important to note that one can also overdose on this essential nutrient. It has been shown that taking 60,000 IU of vitamin D per day for several months can cause toxicity.
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