Study Links Vitamin D Levels to Metabolic Health

by | Jun 11, 2012 | 2012, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Vitamin D - General, Vitamins

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In 1811 patients with metabolic syndrome those with the highest blood levels of vitamin D had 62% lower rates of cardiovascular disease, 60% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and 69% lower rates of peripheral  vascular disease.

Metabolic Syndrome affects over 47 million Americans. It is characterized by excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen (called “central obesity”), increased blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher), and insulin resistance (the body can’t properly use insulin to control blood sugar) (1). Its $4,000 yearly pharmacy cost per patient makes it “the most expensive disease you’ve never heard of” (2).

Now a new study (3) suggests that blood levels of vitamin D (7) may benefit patients with metabolic syndrome and other ailments. In the study, 1,811 patients participating in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular study (8) and diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome were followed for an average of 7.7 years. The researchers found a “clear” relationship between higher vitamin D levels and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease. Specifically, compared to those with the lowest vitamin D blood levels (< 25 nanomoles/Liter = “severe deficiency”), those with the highest vitamin D blood levels (> 75 nmol/L = “optimal”) had:

  • 62% lower rates of cardiovascular disease (5.6 vs. 14.8%, p = 0.001)
  • 60% lower rates of type 2 diabetes (14.0 vs. 35.1%, p < 0.001)
  • 69% lower rates of peripheral vascular disease (4.9 vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001)

Overall, those with the highest levels of vitamin D were found to have a 72% reduced risk of death (called “all-cause mortality”) and a 64% reduced risk from cardiovascular disease (p < 0.001) compared to those with the lowest levels of vitamin D (p < 0.001).

For the researchers, “[Vitamin D blood levels] were dose-dependently associated with a robust reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.”

Source: Thomas, G. Neil, et al. “Vitamin D levels predict all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in subjects with the metabolic syndrome.” Diabetes care 35.5 (2012): 1158-1164.

© 2012 by the American Diabetes Association

Posted June 11, 2012.

Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY.  You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com

References:

  1. American Heart Association Website: “Metabolic Syndrome”
  2. “Metabolic Syndrome: The Most Expensive Disease You’ve Never Heard Of” – see the Medical News Today website.
  3. Thomas GN.  Vitamin D Levels Predict All-Cause and Cardiovascular DiseaseMortality in Subjects With the Metabolic Syndrome.  Diabetes Care 2012; 35:1158–1164.
  4. Serum vitamin D concentrations are related to depression in young adult US population: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. International Archives of Medicine 2010, 3:29 doi:10.1186/1755-7682-3-29.
  5. Toriola AT. Independent and joint effects of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium on ovarian cancer risk: A prospective nested case-control study. Eur J Cancer 2010 Jun 18. [Epub ahead of print].
  6. Eisman JA. Vitamin D Deficiency in Critically Ill Patients. New Eng Jou Med 2009; 360(18): 1912-1914.
  7. Mowry et al. Vitamin D status is associated with relapse rate in pediatric-onset MS. Annals of Neurology, 2010; DOI: 10.1002/ana.21972.

Study detail available at www. lipidcenter.com