Authors of a new study have concluded that males with a low level of Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, are more likely to suffer a heart attack, technically known as a Myocardial Infarction (MI).

There are a variety of clinical studies showing that the death-rates attributed to cardiovascular diseases grew during winter months. Conversely, the opposite was found at lower altitudes. This background pattern was expressed in the author’s article, published in the June 9 edition of the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.

In conjunction with a team from the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., analyzed the medical records and blood samples of 454 men, aged between 40 & 75. All of whom have suffered from fatal heart diseases or had previously suffered non-fatal heart attacks.

Researchers took that data and compared it with the medical records and blood samples of 900 men, still living, who never had any of the heart complications the base subjects had.

What they found was that males with Vitamin D deficiency or those who merely meet the “intermediate” levels of Vitamin D, were more at risk of heart attack, compared to those with a healthy amount of Vitamin D in their diet. Researchers concluded that their results supported the fact that Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart attack, and possibly death.

They added that their findings support the need to enhance Vitamin D levels in the body to reduce this problem.

Where Do We Get Vitamin D?

One of the body’s essential vitamins, Vitamin D is referred to as the “sunshine vitamin.” After being in the sun, our bodies produce vitamin D naturally. Really, if you’re in the sun for as little as 10 to 15 minutes, and only 3 times a week, that is enough time for your body to produce vitamin D in quantities it needs.

When you look at it in these terms, unless you get very little “sun time,” there’s really no need to get vitamin D from your diet or supplements. Guess what, you can even store vitamin D in your body.

When vitamin D is manufactured in the body, the excess of what you need at the time can remain for months. So in the summer time, you can increase your vitamin D levels by increasing your time in the sun.

Vitamin D plays a very important roll in your body’s health. Its job is to promote the absorption of magnesium and calcium. These substances are vital to the healthy development of bones and teeth. Vitamin D also helps to keep adequate levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood.

If you have to, you can take supplements of vitamin D to meet your body’s needs. One thing you may want to consider when shopping for vitamins: Vegans choose Vitamin D2 labeled items instead of Vitamin D3.

The Difference Between Vitamin D2 & Vitamin D3

Vitamin D2, named ergocalciferol, is produced by irradiating plants to produce yeasts. Vitamin D3 comes from animal sources. Its manufacturing base can come from cattle brains, sheep wool, hides and fish.

Related Vitamin D Articles:

• Vitamin D: Myths, Facts & Statistics
• The Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D
• Press Release: Vitamin D Defiency May Increase Heart Attack Risk