Vitamin D and Arteries

[Guest guest]

I take 4000 IU based on blood tests for OH-Vitamin D. Ask your doctor

for the blood test before you take high dose Vitamin D above 2400 IU

per day, which is the No Observed Adverse Effect Level, for safe use

long term.

Optimal blood levels of OH-Vitamin D for anti-cancer, bone health,

immune health and artery health is considered to be 75 ng or more.

Mooney

www.michaelmooney.net

www.medibolics.com

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Vitamin D found to guard against artery disease

Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:24pm EDT

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vitamin D may protect against an artery disease

in which fatty deposits restrict blood flow to the limbs, researchers

said on Wednesday.

Scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva

University in New York found that people with low levels of vitamin D

in their blood experience an increased risk for a condition known as

peripheral artery disease, or PAD.

PAD most often reduces blood flow to the legs, causing pain and

numbness, impairing the ability to walk and in some cases leading to

amputation. It develops when fatty deposits accumulate in the inner

linings of artery walls, cutting blood flow and oxygen to the legs,

feet, arms and elsewhere.

The researchers based the findings on a U.S. government health survey

involving 4,839 adults who had their blood vitamin D levels measured

and underwent a screening method for PAD that assesses blood flow to

the legs.

The people in the lowest 25 percent of vitamin D levels were 80

percent more likely to have PAD than those in the highest 25 percent,

the researchers said.

" Participants in the survey who had the lowest vitamin D levels had a

much higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease, " Dr. Michal

Melamed of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who led the study,

said in a telephone interview.

But Melamed said it would be premature for people to start taking

vitamin D supplements because more studies are needed to confirm that

it is protective.

Melamed noted that other vitamins that had been thought to possibly

help prevent cardiovascular disease such as vitamin E did not pan out

after further research.

The study was presented at an American Heart Association meeting in

Atlanta and was published in the association's journal

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is considered important

for bone health. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to

osteoporosis, and it can lead to rickets in children.

Some studies have indicated it might provide other benefits. For

example, one published in January found that people with low vitamin D

levels had an elevated risk for heart attack, heart failure and

stroke, suggesting the vitamin may protect against cardiovascular disease.

The body makes vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight. It is found

in fatty fish such as salmon. Milk commonly is fortified with it.

People with PAD have a four to five times greater risk of heart attack

or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. The group said

8 million Americans have PAD.