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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Vitamin D 'the key to a healthy heart'

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Vitamin D 'the key to a healthy heart'

Eating regular food which contains vitamin D may be the key to a healthy heart, it has been claimed.

Denise Armstrong, lifestyle manager for Heart Research UK, said that the issue of whether vitamin D is good for the heart has been debated for years, but the substance definitely plays a factor in heart health.

Her comments come after a report issued by the University of Warwick, showed that middle-aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 per cent

Researchers at the facility looked at 28 studies featuring 99,745 participants which revealed a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

"We are pleased that the review has come out in favour of more vitamin D. We advise people to get out, expose [themselves] to sunlight, eat a healthy diet, and make sure they get enough vitamin D," Ms Armstrong said.

She added that the research has verified the fact that vitamin D seems to be "heart-healthy", which was pleasing news.

However, the expert said that supplements may not be the way forward, and instead recommended that people ensure they are regularly exposed to daylight, so that the body benefits.

The specialist added that not enough people are aware of the health benefits of vitamin D, and overcoming this obstacle may be the key to lowering heart disease statistics.

"Oily fish is also a good source of vitamin D and avoid taking a supplement if you know that you are going to be out in the daylight," she concluded.

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