Recent Study Shows Vitamin D Keeps Men's Hearts Healthy

Are you getting enough vitamin D? If you’re a guy, and you’re not getting enough of this essential vitamin you may be putting your health at risk, according to a recent study. It’s been discovered that men with relatively low levels of vitamin D in their systems may be two-and-a-half times more likely to have a heart attack than men who are getting enough D in their diets. Let’s take a closer look at this study . . .

Men with relatively low levels of vitamin D in their systems may be two-and-a-half times more likely to have a heart attack than men who are getting enough D in their diets, according to a recent study.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that men who are at a general risk for heart attack combined with low levels of vitamin D, were at increased risk to suffer a fatal heart attack.

What is Vitamin D?
A fat-soluble vitamin, D helps our bodies absorb calcium—vital for strong bones and maintaining ideal levels of phosphorous in the blood. Kids who are vitamin D deficient could develop rickets, a bone disorder that can lead to deformity, and adults that don’t get enough vitamin D risk a diagnosis of osteomalacia, a condition defined by weak muscles and bones.

How much should you be getting?
Ideally, men between the ages of 14 and 50 should get 5 micrograms or 200 IUs (international units) of vitamin D daily. People over the age of 51, whose kidneys may not be able to convert vitamin D as efficiently as they did when they were younger, should up their intake to 10 micrograms (400 IUs).

Vitamin D Sources
Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources, including eggs, cheese, salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, cod liver oil, and fortified milks and cereals. To get an idea of how much you need, two cups of fortified milk will satisfy the daily D intake for an adult.

Vitamin D is also absorbed through the skin when you are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, if you are dark-skinned, overweight, or limit skin exposure either by staying indoors or covering the skin in clothing and sunscreen, your vitamin D levels are likely lower than they should be. For example, individuals who wear heavy robes for religious or cultural reasons should be concerned about their vitamin D levels.

Worried that too much sun exposure will increase your skin cancer risk? You don’t need to be concerned: you only need to spend ten to fifteen minutes in the sun three times a week for your body produce the amount of vitamin D it needs.

Other people who may not be getting enough vitamin D include people diagnosed with liver disease, Chron’s disease, cystic fibrosis and celiac disease.

If you still have a problem getting enough vitamin D, consider taking a multivitamin (most contain vitamin D, but check the label to be sure) or a separate vitamin D supplement. If you are also in need of calcium, many calcium supplements are formulated with added vitamin D to aid in absorption.