Vitamin D plays an effective role in preventing heart diseases, but a high dose once in a month may not prove beneficial. A new research study points out this fact.
Almost all the people around the world believe the significant role of Vitamin D. Many previous research studies also reported the lack of this vitamin as the key reason of heart disease. Surprisingly, a new research predicts monthly dosing can't bring any fruitful result.
Dr. Robert Scragg, professor of the epidemiology at the University of Auckland and the lead author of the study, highlights the key fact. He reveals that the research findings only rule out the monthly dosing of Vitamin D. But no suitable answer is received from the research team about the daily supplementation of the vitamin, according to Health Day.
Foods that include the daily meal like the fatty fish, egg yolks, and many others are regarded as the main sources of Vitamin D. But, the best natural source is the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The idea about the beneficial role of Vitamin D gained momentum from the early 1980s.
According to professor Scragg, the said idea became stronger when the doctors observed the higher rates of the cardiovascular problem in winter than summer. In the winter people experience low sunlight and explores lower level of Vitamin D in the body. But, sufficient research study is not available on this topic, he stated.
To unveil several potential facts about Vitamin D the research team monitored the heart health of 5,100 adults. The participants belonged to the age group between 50 to 84. One-quarter of them were examined with a very low level of the vitamin at the beginning of the trial. The blood test result displayed the amount was less than 20 nanograms per milliliter.
Half of the participants were selected for monthly high-dose of Vitamin D that included 200,000 International Units initially. This was followed by 100,000 International Units on a regular monthly basis. The other half was provided a monthly regimen of the placebo supplements. This process lasted for three years on average.
The outcome of the test finally revealed some sort of heart problems among the 12 percent participants of both the groups. The study indicated the risk of heart attack, angina, heart failure and others even after consuming the vitamin. So the researchers finally concluded with the decision that monthly supplementation of the high-dose of Vitamin D can't avert the risk of heart disease.
The findings of the research study are available in the JAMA Cardiology. Dr. Adrian Hernandez, a professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., is surprised to see the research outcome. He opines that sometimes great ideas don't show the required benefits. According to Dr. Hernandez, the assigned dose of Vitamin D may need other components to get the effective results.
It is true that the research study has brought a conclusion, but it is not yet regarded as the ultimate outcome. Still, a huge number of people consume Vitamin D supplements every day. The more constructive study is absolutely necessary before uttering the ultimate words.
