A Lack of Vitamin D Linked to Stiff Arteries in Healthy People

New research conducted at Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Institute found that even in healthy people, a lack of vitamin D¹ is linked to stiffening of arteries and blood vessel cells that cannot relax properly.

The researchers put participants through a battery of functional tests to determine how well arteries and blood vessels performed in relation to vitamin D status. 

“Even after controlling for factors such as age, weight and cholesterol, people with lower vitamin D levels still had stiffer arteries and impaired vascular function” ,said Ibhar Al Mheid, MD.  “We found that people with vitamin D deficiency had vascular dysfunction comparable to those with diabetes or hypertension.”

The exact mechanism of vitamin D benefit is not yet understood, but researchers believed that vitamin D “could be strengthening endothelial cells Single layer of cells that line the internal lining of blood vessels. They are involved with control of vascular tone and blood pressures along with exchange fo gas and metabolic products and extravasation of immune compounds. and the muscles surrounding the blood vessels. It could also be reducing the level of angiotensin, a hormone that drives increased blood pressure, or regulating inflammation.”

Regardless, this is simply one more reason to ensure your vitamin D levels are optimized.