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 looking for ways to prevent it. In addition to lifestyle habits like a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, stress management, and adequate sleep, there are nutrients that can be especially helpful.

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

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

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

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

Results found:

Vitamin D supplementation may help people with high cholesterol who are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or who are taking heart medications reduce their risk of serious heart events (such as heart attack or stroke) by 13-17%, according to Eating Well.

Vitamin D supplementation may also help people with prediabetes significantly reduce their risk of heart disease.

For pregnant women, vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of preeclampsia by up to 60%, the risk of gestational diabetes by 50% and the risk of premature birth by 40%.

The safe and effective way to supplement vitamin D is to expose yourself to sunlight.

Photo: AI

How to supplement vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for many body 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 exposure to sunlight and through diet. Foods containing vitamin D include egg yolks, some mushrooms, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, herring, swordfish, sardines), beef liver, and fish liver oil.

Be aware: Overdosing on vitamin D over time can lead to a buildup in the body that can be fatal, so consult your doctor before starting vitamin supplements.

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