Vitamin D Supplements
A regular question that we are asked at HBP Group is "I’ve heard that low vitamin D levels can be a cause of heart disease, so I’m wondering if I should be taking a vitamin D supplement?"
Our answer is always the same; firstly it has only been linked and not proven to be a cause. We suggest that you make sure you’re getting the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D, which is 600 international units (IU) for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU for those older than 70, although a bit more is ok. It has been found in some studies that low vitamin D levels have been linked to heart disease. However, this could also be due to contributing factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise, which can contribute to obesity, heart disease and a host of other health problems.
To date there is no evidence that taking additional vitamin D helps prevent or treat any of those conditions, though large studies are on-going and should provide a definitive answer in the next few years.
Our bodies make vitamin D naturally when sunlight impacts our skin, as well as being added to some foods. Your best strategy is to get vitamin D from a combination of foods and modest sun exposure. Only take supplements if your doctor says that you are deficient in vitamin D.
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