Print | Email | Share | Comments (1)

Why Low Vitamin D Raises Risk of Heart Disease in People with Diabetes

Sep 8, 2009

Vitamin D deficiency increases cardiovascular risk by altering cholesterol processing.

Scientists and healthcare professionals have known for some time that low levels of vitamin D almost double the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. But until now, they haven't known why.

According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, vitamin D deficiency increases cardiovascular risk by preventing people with diabetes from processing cholesterol normally. As a result, the sterol builds up in arteries, often leading to blockage that can bring on a heart attack.

Vitamin D works by inhibiting the uptake of cholesterol by macrophages, cells that the immune system sends in response to inflammation such as that found in diabetes. With no vitamin D to stop them from consuming cholesterol, the macrophages become clogged with it and turn into "foam cells."

Foam cells are early markers of the build-up of fatty deposits on arterial walls, known as atherosclerosis. But in an environment with adequate amounts of vitamin D, macrophages do not become foam cells. The researchers believe that simply increasing intake of vitamin D not only will lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes, but also may even reverse atherosclerosis.

So the question is, how to get proper amounts of the vitamin to people who need it. Sunlight is the main generator of vitamin D, which is produced by the skin in response to the sun's ultraviolet rays. In months and at latitudes where there is abundant sunlight, most people generate a sufficient amount of the vitamin to prevent macrophage clogging. In places where there is little winter sunlight, however, or among people with diabetes (who generally have lower levels of vitamin D), getting sufficient vitamin D can be a problem. In any case, given concerns about overexposure to sunlight, the best approach is probably oral vitamin D supplements taken on a routine basis.

Categories: Diabetes, Diabetes, Research, Type 1 Issues, Type 2 Issues, Vitamins

Comments

Posted by Anonymous on 15 September 2009

I'm a type 2 diabetic I have been on large doses of D twice and still my levels are low. I am sensitive to the sun so I do know what to do to increase my vitamin D.

no sun

Add your comments about this article below. You can add comments as a registered user or anonymously. If you choose to post anonymously your comments will be sent to our moderator for approval before they appear on this page. If you choose to post as a registered user your comments will appear instantly.

When voicing your views via the comment feature, please respect the Diabetes Health community by refraining from comments that could be considered offensive to other people. Diabetes Health reserves the right to remove comments when necessary to maintain the cordial voice of the diabetes community.

For your privacy and protection, we ask that you do not include personal details such as address or telephone number in any comments posted.

Don't have your Diabetes Health Username? Register now and add your comments to all our content.

Have Your Say...

Registered User Anonymous

Your Name:	Your Email:	X

Recipient's Name:	Recipient's Email:

Your Chosen Username:	Your Email Address:

Chosen Password:	Confirm Password:

Email to a Friend

Why Low Vitamin D Raises Risk of Heart Disease in People with Diabetes

You May Also Be Interested In...

Comments

Register...

Have Your Say...

Diabetes Health

Topics

Topics

Topics

Diabetes Health Medical Disclaimer

Comment: