A familiar vitamin that helps prevent heart disease and stroke

Heart disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death. About 1 in 5 deaths are due to heart disease.

The good news is that heart disease is preventable, and scientists are constantly searching for ways to prevent it. Besides lifestyle habits like a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and sufficient sleep, there are certain nutrients that can be particularly helpful.

A new study recently published in a journal has found that a familiar vitamin may reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in general, according to the health news site Eating Well.

Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke) by 13-17% - Photo: AI

Researchers from the US Center for Nutrition and Health Research, the American Heart Institute for Metabolism & Endocrinology, in collaboration with experts at Queen Mary University (UK) and scientists from Poland and China, have conducted a narrative review of studies relating vitamin D and heart disease.

The authors reviewed studies that used vitamin D supplements or assessed participants' vitamin D levels using blood tests.

The results found:

According to Eating Well, vitamin D supplementation may help people with high cholesterol who are taking cholesterol-lowering medication or those taking cardiovascular medication to reduce their risk of serious cardiovascular events (such as heart attack and stroke) by 13-17% .

Vitamin D supplementation can also significantly reduce the risk of heart disease for people with prediabetes.

Specifically for pregnant women, vitamin D supplementation helps reduce the risk of preeclampsia by up to 60%, gestational diabetes by 50%, and premature birth by 40%.

A safe and effective way to supplement vitamin D is through sun exposure.

Photo: AI

Ways to supplement vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for many bodily processes, including strong bones, immune function, and nerve function. There is also evidence that vitamin D may help prevent depression.

Safe and effective ways to supplement vitamin D are through sun exposure and diet. Foods containing vitamin D include egg yolks, some types of mushrooms, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, herring, swordfish, sardines), beef liver, and cod liver oil.

It's important to note: If taken in excessive doses over time, vitamin D can build up in the body and may be fatal. Therefore, consult your doctor before starting any vitamin supplements.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/loai-vitamin-quen-thuoc-giup-phong-benh-tim-185250715230158705.htm