Vitamin Reduces Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

A recently published study evaluated previous research regarding the association between levels of a specific fat-soluble vitamin and the risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a group of risk factors that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and stroke. These risk factors include increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol levels, increased inflammatory markers and increased risk of abnormal blood clotting. It is currently estimated that 50 million Americans have the metabolic syndrome.

In this new study, researchers evaluated the data from 28 previous human studies regarding vitamin D levels and the risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders. The data showed that the subjects with the highest levels of serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D had a 43 percent decreased risk of developing cardiometabolic disorders compared to the subjects with the lowest vitamin D levels.

More specifically, the researchers found that compared to the subjects with the lowest serum vitamin D levels, the subjects with the highest levels of serum vitamin D had decreased risks of: cardiovascular disease by 33 percent; type-2 diabetes by 55 percent and the metabolic syndrome by 51 percent. Additionally, the researchers found that middle-aged and elderly subjects with the highest serum levels of vitamin D had a substantial reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

The researchers concluded, “If the relationship proves to be causal, interventions targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders.”

Reference:

Parker J, Hashmi O, Dutton D, Mavrodaris A, Stranges S, Kandala NB, Clarke A, Franco OH. Levels of vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas. 2010 Mar;65(3):225-236.