Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cardiovascular disease |

Reported by reporter Tang Chaocun / Chiayi

The latest research from the sports science research team at National Chung Cheng University shows that vitamin D is not only essential for bone health, but also plays a key role in cardiovascular function after exercise. lower blood vessel efficiency after exercise and a significantly poorer ability to regulate blood pressure, which may be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. This breakthrough research result was published in the authoritative international journal “Journal of the International Sports Nutrition”.

Members of the research team measured arterial stiffness in 50 healthy young men within 30 minutes of high-intensity exercise. The results of the study show that the arterial stiffness of people with vitamin D deficiency is significantly higher than in people with sufficient vitamin D, indicating that vitamin D deficiency will affect the elasticity of blood vessels after exercise. An additional study by the team found that the lower the vitamin D level, the higher the degree of arterial stiffness after exercise. However, these changes are difficult to detect in a resting state, revealing hidden risks to cardiovascular health in the future.

Another study by He Chengxun’s team in 2024 investigated the close relationship between vitamin D and blood pressure regulation. The results show that people with enough vitamin D can reduce blood pressure faster and more effectively after moderately intense exercise and maintain better blood vessel elasticity. In contrast, people with vitamin D deficiency have poor blood pressure regulation. This study also suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be a hidden risk for cardiovascular disease in the future.

He Chengxun pointed out that the two different studies above have shown that vitamin D has a significant effect on cardiovascular health after exercise. Therefore, sports enthusiasts and health managers are reminded that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D one of the main measures to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Because the importance of vitamin D for cardiovascular health is recognized, experts recommend maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D through daily sun exposure and food intake. Spending 15 to 30 minutes in the sun every morning or evening can help promote the natural synthesis of vitamin D in the body. Additionally, foods such as salmon, cod liver oil, and egg yolks are all high-quality sources of vitamin D. If you can’t get enough vitamin D through sun exposure or diet, doctors recommend taking vitamin D supplements is a safe and effective option.