Low levels of vitamin D are linked to a range of serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression, diabetes, osteoporosis and falls among elderly people. Two new studies analyzed data from prior research involving over one million people. In one of the meta-analyses, scientists found that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood streams were 35 percent more likely to die of heart disease and 14 percent more likely to die of cancer. The second study found that subjects with the highest circulating vitamin D levels were resistant to stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments.
Despite the clear relationship between blood levels of vitamin D levels and the overall risk of illness and death, there was no clear evidence that vitamin D supplements would be beneficial. One set of investigators suggested that vitamin D might be best obtained with a healthy diet high in fish, fortified dairy products, mushrooms and kale.
Regular exposure to 30 minutes of sunlight twice weekly can also boost blood levels of this critical vitamin. If supplements are taken, the evidence is accumulating that vitamin D3 trumps vitamin D2, a form that doctors often prescribe.
We offer more information on vitamin D blood levels, supplements and health effects in our Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency.
