Everyone wants a magic pill when it comes to improving their health. So when observational studies showed that people with higher vitamin D levels had lower rates of heart disease, interest in vitamin D supplements skyrocketed.
That’s natural, right? If vitamin D can prevent cardiovascular disease, then taking large amounts of vitamin D from supplements should be beneficial.
Unfortunately, heart health is not that easy. Learn more from cardiologist Dr. Steven Nissen.
Vitamin D and heart health
Vitamin D has a reputation as a powerful nutrient. Helps the body absorb calcium and promote bone health. Vitamin D also supports the immune and nervous systems and reduces inflammation in the body.
Problems often occur when your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels appear to be consistent with a wide range of health conditions, including heart disease.
But while there appears to be some connection between vitamin D and the heart, research shows that eliminating heart concerns isn’t as easy as taking a vitamin D supplement.
A study published in 2017 showed that taking high-dose vitamin D supplements every month does nothing to prevent cardiovascular disease. This is true even if participants started with vitamin D deficiency.
These results are consistent with other evaluations of dietary supplements and heart health. “This is yet another study showing that vitamins and nutritional supplements have virtually no effect on preventing heart disease,” Dr. Nissen points out.
In fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says there is not enough evidence to recommend that adults take vitamin D or other supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Risk of too much vitamin D
When it comes to vitamin D and heart, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Too much vitamin D can cause abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia. Calcium deposits build up on blood vessel walls, which can increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Over time, CAD can lead to heart attacks and congestive heart failure.
High levels of vitamin D in the body can also lead to bone-related problems such as kidney failure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis. (In other words, if left unaddressed, it can become a serious problem.)
With all this in mind, Dr. Nissen urges caution with vitamin D supplements. He says it’s always best to consult your health care provider before starting to take any supplements.
final thoughts
No matter what you read online under clickbait headlines, Dr. Nissen emphasizes that there are no miracle drugs or easy shortcuts to improving heart health. (However, it’s a question he gets asked often.)
So what can you do? He suggests focusing on developing healthy lifestyle habits to keep your mind happy.
“Exercise, eat a healthy diet, manage your weight, and watch your cholesterol and blood pressure for signs of problems,” he advises. “Then you’ll be way ahead of the game.”
