Optimal Vitamin D Levels Can Significantly Reduce Heart Disease Risk in Adults Suffering from Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of symptoms that are related to obesity, a condition which is in and of itself a health epidemic, and one which is a risk factor for other degenerative and chronic health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Metabolic syndrome is a growing concern in the US as its prevalence has been noted even in children and teens.
THE RED FLAGS
Metabolic syndrome usually has symptoms that a number of chronic diseases share. You may already be suffering from metabolic syndrome if you have:
a troublesome waistline, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9 (overweight) or 30 and above (obese)
- hypertension
- insulin resistance or high fasting blood sugar
- high total serum triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Apart from genetic predisposition to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome could develop due to the following factors:
- aging
- smoking
- hormonal imbalance/changes
- stress
- sedentary lifestyle
- lack of sleep and poor sleep quality
- poor diet
THE GOOD NEWS
One European study reveals that having enough vitamin D may offer significant heart health benefits to people suffering from metabolic syndrome by reducing cardiovascular disease mortality by 66%. This means that enough blood levels of the sunlight vitamin makes patients with metabolic syndrome 66% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease.
OPTIMAL VITAMIN D
You’d know that you have optimal (more than enough but not too much) levels of vitamin D if your blood test says that you have at least 75 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[H]D).
IMPROVED METABOLISM WITH VITAMIN D
Vitamin D has been frequently linked to weight loss. It is known for its ability to regulate glucose metabolism by improving insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone. A visible sign of insulin resistance is having a large waistline circumference.
If insulin overstays in your blood because your cells are resisting it then your body stores carbohydrates as fat instead of burning or using them as fuel. It is for these reasons that a wacky metabolism and immodest amounts of visceral fat may respond well to vitamin D supplementation.
WHAT ELSE CAN HELP?
Implementing positive lifestyle changes may help prevent not just heart disease but all the other risks associated with metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, stroke, and hypertension. Vitamin D supplementation in conjunction with exercise, stress management, treatment of sleep disorders, smoking cessation, and a healthy diet that is low in sodium, sugar, cholesterol, and saturated fat can be very effective in addressing metabolic syndrome and its risk factors.
For more info about how vitamin D and other nutrients can help with weight loss, read here.
Amanda L., Nashville, TN
