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Faculty of Allied Health Sciences => Public Health => Topic started by: drnadira on June 19, 2013, 03:48:13 PM

Title: Vitamin D nd Hypertension
Post by: drnadira on June 19, 2013, 03:48:13 PM
The world's largest study to examine the link between vitamin D levels and hypertension has found that low levels of Vitamin D can be a major cause of hypertension.Researchers presented their findings at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG).

Data were gathered from 35 studies, which included more than 155,000 participants from different parts of Europe and North America.Dr. Vimal Karani S, from the Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK, led the study.

Participants with high levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) had reduced blood pressure and were at a lower risk of developing hypertension.
There are two ways that people can obtain vitamin D:

    By eating or drinking it
    By exposing the skin to sunlight, which triggers the production of vitamin D

The liver and the kidneys are then able to convert it to a form that our body can use.

People with high levels of vitamin D in their blood enjoy several benefits, apart from improved bone health. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine reported in PLOS ONE that people with high levels of vitamin D have significantly better immunity and a reduced risk of several diseases.

Vitamin D insufficiency (between 21-29 ng/mL) and vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) lead to a heightened risk of:

    Autoimmune diseases
    Cancer
    Type 2 diabetes
    Infectious diseases
    Cardiovascular diseases
    Obesity

Dr. Karani said that the study provides further data to support the importance of vitamin D. It suggests that vitamin D supplements or food fortification can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Source:Medical News Today