Dec 1, 2008 5:47 pm US/Eastern
A Little Sunshine Could Be Vital For Heart Health
LOS ANGELES (CBS4) ―
Mom always said it was important to get plenty of fresh air but she didn't know how important. New research says getting enough vitamin D, which comes from exposure to the sun and other sources, could be vital to keeping your heart healthy.
Vitamin D deficiency has been proven to cause bone and muscle weakness, but new research suggests that low levels of Vitamin D can double the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart failure.
"Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with higher blood pressure," said Dr. Seth Uretsky, Director of Cardiac CT & MRI at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
Researchers say a lack of vitamin D can also lead to hypertension and the thickening of blood vessels.
Many people don't meet their daily vitamin D requirements because they're spending less time in the sun. And when they are outside, sunscreen, which is vital, blocks the body from making Vitamin D. In fact, it's estimated that half of adults and 30-percent of kids and teens aren't getting enough it, but it's easy to fix.
"Oily fish is known to have large doses of vitamin D. You can also drink milk," said Dr. Uretsky.
There are also vitamin supplements, but the simplest prescription is to get a little fresh air.
"Short periods of time, in the sunlight, can pretty much give us all the vitamin D that we need," said Dr. Uretsky.
Doctors say more research is needed to determine if giving patients vitamin D can actually improve heart health, but stronger bones and muscles aren't a bad tradeoff.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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