As I’ve mentioned before, a great benefit of my chosen career path is being able to interact one on one with my customers. Specifically, answering the many questions people have about my program. Occasionally, I’ll see the same question pop up again and again and that is when I like to address it to many.
Recently, I’ve been asked by more than a few of you if Vitamin D deficiency could cause high blood pressure.
Vitamin D actually refers to several forms of this vitamin – the most important (to humans) being ergocalfciferol (Vitamin D2) and chloecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Also known as the “sunshine” vitamin, Vitamin D3 is produced when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. In fact, most people get 100% of their vitamin D supply from sunlight.
Vitamin D is important in promoting maintaining adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It aids in the absorption of calcium which, in turn, helps create and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D is most known for helping to prevent bone diseases; however, recent studies have suggested that a lack of Vitamin D may be linked to more illnesses.
Several studies including several race groups, both genders and a broad age group have reported similar findings – those with a Vitamin D deficiency and high blood pressure were at least fifty percent more likely to experience a cardiac event (i.e., stroke, heart attack, chest pain, heart failure) than those without the deficiency.
How does one know if he or she has a Vitamin D deficiency?
A simple blood test by your doctor is the easiest way to determine if you have the vitamin deficiency. In fact, the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are subtle (cold/flu, periodontal disease, depression, osteoporosis, high blood pressure) and can often times be confused for symptoms of other illnesses.
Who is at risk for Vitamin D deficiency?
Those most at risk include:
Older adults – People age 50 or older have an increased risk for the deficiency because the skin stops synthesizing Vitamin D as efficiently and also because many older adults avoid sun exposure as much as possible due to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Those with limited sun exposure – people who are homebound or live in northern latitudes, people who cover their skin because of religious reasons, or those who’s jobs have them working in areas that prevent sunlight exposure are at a greater risk for the vitamin deficiency.
People with dark skin – Darker skin does not convert sunlight to Vitamin D as easily as lighter skin. Some studies suggest that older adults with dark skin are even more likely to develop the deficiency as older adults with lighter skin.
Obesity – While obesity doesn’t affect the skin’s ability to process sunlight, the fact that Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin means that the greater amounts of fat in an obese person cause greater accumulations of the vitamin in the fat and the release of the vitamin into the system is altered.
What is the treatment for Vitamin D deficiency?
The shortest answer is to see your doctor. While the obvious answer is direct exposure to ultra violet light, there are many harmful effects of the sun which should be avoided.
There are, of course, many foods which contain Vitamin D (cod, salmon, mackerel, tuna) and others which are vitamin D fortified (milk, margarine, eggs, certain cereals). You should, of course, check with your doctor to ensure that the amount of these foods you are consuming is adequate to support Vitamin D synthesis.
While there is an oral supplement of Vitamin D, many experts agree that most people do not require this (if they are able to get their Vitamin D intake from the above two methods) and since this vitamin is fat soluble, too much Vitamin D can be unhealthy.
Regardless of the reason for your high blood pressure, I recommend my High Blood Pressure Program due to the astounding results. It has helped thousands and can help you too.
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