1000 IU of Vitamin D Linked to Decreasing Chances for Stroke and Heart Attack in Diabetics

Researchers in Tel Aviv, Israel at the Wolfson Medical Center just published a research study on Vitamin D. The research is showing that supplements of vitamin D at 1000 IU may improve cardiovascular health for diabetics. “Vitamin D status is associated with a range of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, increased serum lipid levels, insulin resistance as well as a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease.”[1] The findings may indicate how much vitamin D is required for a supplement to prevent risk factors from developing.

Previously reported studies have shown that blood vessels are not as likely to clog in diabetics who have sufficient levels of vitamin D. But diabetics with low levels develop immune cells that trap cholesterol in the blood vessels close to the heart, resulting in blockage.[2] Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and this may be due to the relationship between low vitamin D levels and obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.

Research has also shown that the lack of vitamin D may result in people developing diabetes. “In a study of nearly 2,000 individuals, the researchers looked at the serum of individuals who developed Type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to those who did not, and it looks as though people who had deficient vitamin D levels tended toward the development of diabetes mellitus Type 1. Another interesting part of this study suggests that people with a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of about 50 ng/ml seemed to have lower risk of developing diabetes mellitus Type 1.”[3]

The conclusions from these studies are all pointing that a direct correlation between diabetes and the need for vitamin D exist in people who are experiencing diabetes. In addition a strong correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular disease has existed for years.  Having the ability to lower this risk through a vitamin D supplement is an important finding. At the same time Diabetics should limit their intake of meat, and add more fruit and vegetables to their diet. In addition vitamin D cannot replace exercise.  So the findings should not be taken as an end all for those wishing to avoid cardiovascular disease.

The conclusion of the study was that,”High doses of vitamin D supplementation in diabetic patients was associated with significant decrease in central aortic augmentation index (AI) during one year treatment.” The augmentation index is a ratio calculated from the blood pressure waveform. It is a measure of wave reflection and arterial stiffness.  On average it is higher in women than men and it does increase with age.  The reason it was an important measure in the study is because central augmentation index has been shown to positively correlate with cholesterol levels.[4]  By showing a decrease in (AI) the researchers were able to show that vitamin D was helping to prevent plaque buildup on the arterial walls and this could be significant in preventing stroke and heart attack.