Shortage of Vitamin D may increase risk of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Longtime Mobile cardiologist Dr. Clara Massey recently revised her screening processes for new patients. She’s added checks to see if they’re deficient in vitamin D.
Widely used sun-block creams and lotions may shield the skin from dangerous rays, but also keep it from being able to create the vitamin that’s vital to good health.
“In an effort to protect the skin from skin cancer, we’ve actually prevented the body from making vitamin D from sunlight,” Massey said.
Vitamin D is widely known for its importance to strong bones. What’s new is that scientists are finding that a shortage of vitamin D can increase the risks of diabetes and hypertension, and can lead to a blood-vessel inflammation that can result in acute heart attacks.
Some research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, cancer and several autoimmune diseases, according to information presented by the Mayo Clinic.
“In the last two years, there have been a number of studies that show many organs and tissues in the body are dependent on vitamin D,” Massey said. “Vitamin D is going to be the most talked about vitamin over the next decade.”
This spring, Massey, who is a professor of medicine at the University of South Alabama and co-chief of the division of cardiology there, began testing all of her patients and found that about 80 percent of them had a vitamin D deficiency.
“I have been absolutely stunned,” Massey said of the results.
Those at high risk for vitamin D deficiency include the elderly, the obese and people with darker skin pigments or limited sun exposure, she said.
Earlier this year, Massey attended a meeting of physicians at which new research details about vitamin D deficiency were discussed. Those presenting the findings said that people living south of Atlanta likely got enough sunlight and had nothing to worry about.
Intrigued, Massey tested some of the patients in her own practice. Of the first five tested, four showed vitamin D deficiency.
She said she hopes that more research will focus on the deficiency and how it relates to those who live in sunny climates.
A common sign of a vitamin D deficiency as it relates to heart patients is muscle aches, Massey said. Muscle fibers need vitamin D for optimum health.
One solution to get more vitamin D is simple to accomplish, Massey said: “Five to 10 minutes of sun exposure on the arms and legs in summer months about three days a week.”
New research indicates, Massey said, that those who maintain the regimen for six months absorb enough vitamin D to store up for rest of the year.
As for over-the-counter supplements, Massey urged that people consult their physician if they fear they are vitamin D deficient before adding such pills to their diets.
Massey said she’s heard that the Food and Drug Administration is working to change its recommended daily allowance of vitamin D to come in line with new research: “It’s very new science, and there’s a lot left that we don’t know yet.”
Dear All,
I am 50, I have muscle pain, leg cramps and body cramps. The doctor ignored my complaints and kept blamming it on my pinched nerves of the neck and back. I suggested to her to check my vitamin D and it came out very low 5. Now I am taking 5,000 IU of the vitamin D3 supplement. My blood pressure was and still is high and my glucose levels started going up. Hoping that the supplement will stablize both my BP and Sugar. Also low vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis. Hoping this information might be beneficial to u all.
Take care.
Is there any Vitamin D in vodka?…..no?…..oh dear…I’m fucked
Four Dinners, Herb Caen always called it “Vitamin V”!
My doc prescribed extra Vitamin D at last exam, and said that most adults are deficient. If taken at bedtime, it’s also supposed to help aid sleep. I usually forget…
I certainly hope she’s a mobile cardiologist, you have to be very light on your feet in that line of work.