A research team from England’s University of Warwick says it may be possible to substantially reduce your chances of developing heart disease with a simple blood test to check your vitamin D levels.
In one of the largest studies of its kind, the researchers reviewed 28 studies, which examined over 99,000 men and women from different ethnic groups. Their findings were consistent, showing a 33 percent reduction in risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people with high blood levels of vitamin D.
Critically, high blood levels of vitamin D also meant a 51 percent drop in the development of metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor to both diabetes and heart disease.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. However, even in sunny Australia, vitamin D deficiency is quite common, possibly due to our increased hours spent indoors under artificial light. Vitamin D is found in food sources, like milk and oily fish. However, if your levels are less than ideal, ask your health practitioner to recommend a supplement.
Your say: Do you think you get enough sunlight? Do you take Vitamin D supplements? Share with us below…
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