Study Indicates Reduced Sunlight Exposure Leads to Depression and Heart Attacks
Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium in the body, and therefore is very important for general bone health. Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause several bone diseases, including rickets (in children,) osteomalacia, and osteoporosis. A number of recent studies have indicated Vitamin D also may offer a variety of other health benefits.
A Dutch study published in the May 2008 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry supports previous speculation by researchers that Vitamin D, depression, and other psychiatric illnesses are linked. This study provided evidence that the incidence of depression has increased over the last century. Vitamin D is synthesized in our skin as a result of exposure to UV light. During the past century, humans have reduced their sunlight exposure via urbanization (tall building and pollution blocking UVB), industrialization (working inside), driving cars (automobile glass blocks UVB), clothing, and medical advice to always wear sun block.* All of these factors contribute to reduced levels of Vitamin D, and possibly provide a link to the increase in the incidence of depression.
Another interesting study revealed that men with low levels of Vitamin D have an elevated risk for heart attack. In the study, men classified as deficient in Vitamin D were about 2.5 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with higher levels of the vitamin. “Those with low Vitamin D, on top of just being at higher risk for heart attack in general, were at particularly high risk to have a fatal heart attack,” study author Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said in a recent interview.
There is enough evidence about the value of Vitamin D to encourage people to ensure they have normal levels. You can learn about your Vitamin D level by having your doctor give you a simple blood test. If your levels are too low, you can take supplements or purchase Vitamin D fortified foods.
*It is very important to reduce your exposure to UV rays, just don’t neglect to take Vitamin D supplements.
A Dutch study published in the May 2008 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry supports previous speculation by researchers that Vitamin D, depression, and other psychiatric illnesses are linked. This study provided evidence that the incidence of depression has increased over the last century. Vitamin D is synthesized in our skin as a result of exposure to UV light. During the past century, humans have reduced their sunlight exposure via urbanization (tall building and pollution blocking UVB), industrialization (working inside), driving cars (automobile glass blocks UVB), clothing, and medical advice to always wear sun block.* All of these factors contribute to reduced levels of Vitamin D, and possibly provide a link to the increase in the incidence of depression.
Another interesting study revealed that men with low levels of Vitamin D have an elevated risk for heart attack. In the study, men classified as deficient in Vitamin D were about 2.5 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with higher levels of the vitamin. “Those with low Vitamin D, on top of just being at higher risk for heart attack in general, were at particularly high risk to have a fatal heart attack,” study author Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said in a recent interview.
There is enough evidence about the value of Vitamin D to encourage people to ensure they have normal levels. You can learn about your Vitamin D level by having your doctor give you a simple blood test. If your levels are too low, you can take supplements or purchase Vitamin D fortified foods.
*It is very important to reduce your exposure to UV rays, just don’t neglect to take Vitamin D supplements.
posted by Dr. Marcia Byrd at
4:41 PM
0 Comments
