[헬스코리아뉴스 / 김학령] These days, men and women of all ages are interested in taking care of their health. We live in a society where you can receive personalized nutritional supplements in front of your house every month by applying for a regular subscription through a smartphone app. In particular, vitamin D, unlike other vitamins, is produced (synthesized) in the amount needed by the human body when exposed to sunlight.
As you know, research has shown that vitamin D, in addition to its effects on bone health, can protect the cardiovascular system by suppressing inflammation. The efficacy of vitamin D, especially the cardiovascular protective effect, was investigated.
Benefits of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is activated by the effects of sunlight and liver and kidney metabolism, increasing calcium absorption in the body and playing an important role in maintaining bone health. Several studies have also demonstrated that vitamin D is excellent for cardiovascular protection. It lowers the secretion of the enzyme renin, which increases blood pressure, thereby delaying the onset of hypertension and heart failure.
Problems with Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is likely to occur in winter when there is little outdoor activity and lack of sunlight. Several studies have already demonstrated that the incidence of cardiovascular disease is high when the level of vitamin D in the blood is low. Vitamin D improves myocardial contractility by suppressing the inflammatory response and inhibiting the formation and calcification of blood clots.
Vitamin D intake and anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammatory reactions are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as endothelial endothelial dysfunction and vascular calcification. Vitamin D acts on immune cells to produce antibacterial substances and regulates T cells to suppress inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, YKL-40, a glycoprotein secreted from endothelial cells and various inflammatory cells, affects endothelial cell function decline and atherosclerosis.
In a study conducted by Turkiye researchers in December last year, the relationship between vitamin D and YLK-40 was identified. The blood levels of YKL-40 were higher in rats fed cholesterol-enriched diets than those not fed, and the levels increased significantly when they were fed diets deprived of vitamin D. On the other hand, when vitamin D was supplied, the increase in blood concentration was attenuated in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.
Cardiovascular protective effects of vitamin D
Vitamin D can suppress chronic inflammation by reducing YKL-40 levels, and although the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the cardiovascular system are not clear, it is clear that low levels exacerbate cardiovascular disease.
Through this, the effect of vitamin D on long-term cardiovascular prognosis depends on the concentration of YKL-40, that is, the individual’s inflammatory state, and treatment options that protect the cardiovascular system using drugs that inhibit this substance can be considered. [글: 보라매병원 순환기내과 김학령 교수]
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