Vitamin D supplements don’t reduce heart disease risk, study reveals

Nearly half a billion people are affected with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that resulted in 20.5 million deaths back in 2021. This reflects approximately third of all global deaths caused by heart diseases.

Despite previous suggestions that low vitamin D levels may be linked to heart diseases, a new study reveals that consuming vitamin D supplements are not associated with lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases in older adults.

The study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology adds to growing evidence that vitamin D supplementation may not benefit heart health.

While conducting study, a clinical trial was run to investigate whether vitamin D3 could prevent falls in adults aged 70 and older with low vitamin D levels.

Four groups were made in which participants received daily doses of 200 IU, 1,000 IU, 2,000 IU, or 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 over two years.

Researchers tracked the two major blood proteins linked to heart strain and damage revealing that while participants with lower vitamin D initially had higher levels of one protein but regardless of the intake, supplementation didn’t help in minimising these markers.

The principal author, Dr. Katherine W. Rainer, emphasised that while observational studies previously have linked to deficiency of vitamin D, this research represented no protective effect from supplements.

The senior author, Dr, Stephen P. Juraschek noted that instead of vitamin D supplements, lifestyle factors like physical activity and sunlight exposure may play a significant role in improving heart health.

These results pose a question mark on previous studies that reported the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D supplementation.

Undoubtedly, maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D remains significant for bone health and immune function, the findings of the study reveals that seniors should not rely on supplements to prevent heart disease. 

Rather, researchers suggest focusing on proven healthy habits involving regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol.