Vitamin D was once a nutrient associated with important benefits for our bones but little else. In the last few years this vitamin has racked up an impressive list of potential benefits including protection from cancer, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In January I discussed another study here which found that higher levels of vitamin [...]

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I really must comment here. Vitamin D was actually associated with "a LOT else."

As someone close to a guy who spent a great deal of his career in vascular research, I'm well aware (as most people would probably not be) that Vitamin D supplementation was (still is, as far as I know) how atherosclerosis was induced in lab animals for the studies on arterial stenosis, etc.

In other words, feeding the critters a vitamin D supplement creates inflammation of the walls of the arteries and causes plaque to be laid down, resulting in loss of elasticity (increases BP) and eventually causing the artery to become occluded, requiring a bypass.

A fairly recent paper sums up the issue:

"Vitamin D influences a wide range of metabolic systems through both genomic and nongenomic pathways that have an impact on the properties of peripheral arteries. Although some vitamin D is essential for cardiovascular health, excess may have detrimental effects, including calcification, inflammation, and impaired elastogenesis in the arterial wall."

Just to put a little perspective on what seems to be a recently emerging Vitamin D bandwagon.

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Thanks for the info, Maggie! A great reminder to take these trends with a grain of salt and a dose of healthy, scientific skeptisism before hopping on the bandwagon. It's a challenge to stay informed, but oh so important.

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I remember reading an article about a year ago listing all the health benefits of Vit. D supplementation. It convinced me I was not getting enough D but they couldn't convince me to follow their recommendation of 5000 I.U. a day. i settled on 1000. 5000 was just too scary.

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Perhaps one day we'll find what amount we really need each day. I have no problem with getting a good amount of sunshine, and a little supplementation, but with any supplement, it's probably easy to go overboard to the detriment of our health.

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Nita