The growing list of health benefits associated with vitamin D supplementation became more extensive at the recently held American College of Cardiology’s 59th annual scientific session in Atlanta. According to a new study, consuming the sunshine vitamin can help ward off heart disease in people with low blood levels of the nutrient.
In the study, researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Murray, Utah, monitored more than 9,400 patients who exhibited low vitamin D levels in an initial blood test.
After one year of follow-up, a total of 47 percent of patients had increased their nutrient levels through supplementation to more than 30 nanograms per milliliter, which is generally considered normal.
The research team found that those who boosted their vitamin D levels were 33 percent less likely to have a heart attack, 20 percent less likely to develop heart failure and had a 30 percent lower risk of dying between doctor visits.
"Although randomized trials would be useful and are coming, I feel there is enough information here for me to start treatment based on these findings," said lead author Brent Muhlestein, quoted by Health Day News.
