Vitamin D and its role in cardiovascular disease
Vitamin D has been established as an antirachitic for over 80 years and its effects on calcium and bone metabolism have been the main focus for the majority of its research years. Despite the countless medical advances of recent years, there has been a resurgence of vitamin D deficiency around the globe. Largely due to insufficient sunlight exposure, many individuals nowadays are suffering from cardiovascular diseases which could be attributed to hypovitaminosis D. The mechanisms behind these diseases are not entirely understood, however many suggest that Vitamin D regulates bodily functions through its effects on parathyroid hormone production and the renin-angiotensin system. Vitamin D deficiency is thought to cause increased inflammatory, parathyroid effects and endothelial function failure while also increasing vascular rigidity. A close link between vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases has been established by symptoms evidenced in experiments.
The sunshine vitamin – Vitamin D – is formed in the human epidermis. 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3 or 7-DHC) is photolysed by ultraviolet B photons with wavelengths of 290-315nm to form previtamin D3. (Grober et al. 2013, pg 331-332) Previtamin D3 is subsequently converted into Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) using body heat. Extreme amounts of sunlight deactivates Vitamin D3 transforming it into inactive photoproducts so (Pilz et al. 2011, pg 576)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is hydroxylated first in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D or calcidiol). Calcidiol re-enters the bloodstream and travels to the kidney to be converted by 1-OHase to Calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D). This process is self-destructive as it enhances 24-OHase expr...
... middle of paper ...
...w. (Vaidya & Forman 2010)
Vitamin D has been suggested to promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines which prevent the build-up of macrophages and other material on endothelial walls as plaques (Ikeda 2003, pg 257-259). Overall, vitamin D improves the health of the blood vessels (such as the coronary artery) by improving endothelial flexibility and reducing plaque build-up.
The sunshine Vitamin D should be taken into careful consideration when treating cardiovascular diseases as many symptoms such as hypertension and effects such as plaque build-up are found to be caused by Vitamin D deficiency. The renin-angiotensin system and hyperthyroid system are found to be the main culprits however not all data agrees on the relationship between the RAS and PTH. The data shows that significant improvements to health can be made with adequate dosages of vitamin D.
Her findings from this research was praised as she concluded that small supplementary feeding with fruits, milk and wheat germ improved the growth of school children. She also found out that the over dosage of Vitamin D produced brittle bones and calcification of soft tissues. If that wasn’t enough, she continued her extensive research and showed that pantothenic acid is essential for normal pigmentation of hair and skin. Lastly she was intelligent enough to prove that the bone density of woman decreased between 50 and 65 years of
Vitamin B12 deficiency limits selenium methylation and excretion resulting in higher tissue selenium levels and subsequent toxicity. It occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. Vegetarians who eat eggs and milk products are the most at risk because, on average, they consume less than half the adult vitamin B12 Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) while strict vegans (who don't eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, or milk) are at an even greater risk. Vitamin B12 is important since it works with the vitamin folate to make the body’s genetic material and help keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check which helps to decrease heart disease risk. It is also essential in the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood to the body’s tissues. Life Extension gives offers some of selenium supplements. Babies who are born of parents with low selenium and vitamin B12 rich foods are at risk of anaemia.
Papas, E., & Cluxton, R. J. (2011). Vitamin D: beneficial for pain, fracture, and falls in long-term care residents?. Annals of long term care, 19(5), 33-36.
Marks, R., P.A. Foley, D. Jolley, K.R. Knight, and J. Harrison. 1995. The effect of regular sunscreen use on vitamin D levels in an Australian population: results of a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Dermatology 131: 415-421.
The sun makes Vitamin D therefore those in colder regions with less sunlight are at a disadvantage although there are other supplements such as tanning salons and cod-liver fish oils. Although the sun produces Vitamin D, it also destroys folic acid. People with darker skin can prevent the depletion of folic acid better than those with lighter skin, but people with darker skin would have to carry more cholesterol to utilize the sun’s benefits. Folic acid aids in cell replication and the cell growth system. Melanin is a pigment that absorbs light and determines the darkness of skin color along with hair and eye color. This chapter also introduces the gene ApoE4, which is related to evolution. ApoE4 makes sure that people with darker skin have higher levels of cholesterol, therefore aiding the production of Vitamin D. But we also learn the flaw that ApoE4 can also increase the chances of heart attacks and
In 2011, the University Of Minnesota took women who take vitamins daily and studied them(Offit, Paul., 2013). The result was the same in that there was no supporting evidence that favors Pauling’s claims and statements. In conclusion, the general public believed the words of a man who had no specific evidence to support his own claims over researches done by trusted establishments who had evidence towards their own claims against Linus Pauling. Vitamin D is essential in many aspects especially during growth periods such as adolescents and infancy as indicated by Winston Koo and Nitin Walyat who are the respective authors of “Vitamin D and Skeletal Growth and Development”. Vitamin D is essential for the body as it helps development organ cells; without the development of organ cells, the body cannot fight against harsh diseases and it will eventually cause severe diseases which can lead to delayed growth rate(Koo, Winston ., 2013, p.188).. Children who drink breast milk are more prone to vitamin D deficiency because breast milk does not contain as many vitamins as mineral (Koo,
Vitamin D deficiency has become a key factor in predicting cardiovascular risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. It is also a predictive factor of inflammation and fibrosis. All the key elements required for vitamin D function and metabolism e.g. vitamin D receptor and the two enzymes 1-alpha-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase are also present in the heart. Vitamin D could be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease by exerting regulatory roles in vascular inflammation, proliferation and calcification, renin-angiotensin aldosterone system, myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte proliferation. The effect of the sunshine vitamin on myocytes could reinforce its role as an important preventive or therapeutic agent. Results of studies indicate that vitamin D can improve myocytes differentiation alongside with decreasing cell proliferation which is one of the main elements contributing to plaque formation.
Since ancient times vitamin D has been the predominant cause of bone deficiencies.1 However, it was not in till the seventeenth century when both Dr. Daniel Whistler and Professor Francis Glisson made the first scientific description of a vitamin D deficiency.2 During the mid-seventeenth century there was an increase amount of children that were diagnosed with the bone disease called rickets.2 The cause of the rickets was determined to be associated to the lack of sunlight. A German researcher Kurt Huldschinsky came to the conclusion that when infants were exposed to ultraviolet light rays they became cured of rickets2. He stated that a substance in the skin was the potential source of the cure.2 In 1922, American scientist Elmer McCollum proved that when cod liver oil was heated; the beneficial effects of vitamin A in the oil were reduced.2 However, the oil remained effective in curing rickets leading McCollum to reason that a nutrient different from vitamin A was present in the oil. As a result, he named this nutrient vitamin D, which became the fourth vitamin to be discovered and named.2 Additionally, shortly after 1918, vitamin D was also discovered by an accidental experiment that included a group of scientists curing dogs affected with rickets by feeding cod liver oil to them.1
Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread health problem, affecting up to 1 billion people worldwide.[1] It has gained increasing recognition in the developing world, including Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) where sunshine prevails all year round.[2–4] Previous studies in SSA have found widely varying prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, affecting 9-49% of the normal population in a region well endowed with round the year sunshine.[5–7] Cultural norms, religious practices, skin pigmentation, malnutrition, diet, co-morbidities like tuberculosis, and drugs may contribute to vitamin D deficiency in this setting.[2, 3]
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in DNA synthesis and nerve function. It is contained in high amounts in animal derived foods such as milk, eggs, and meat. The vitamin is stored in the liver long-term. Individuals with vegetarian, vegan, or other forms of restricted diet may develop the condition after approximately 6 months as liver stores of vitamin B12 become depleted. Some individuals develop the condition due to autoimmune destruction of cells in the stomach that produce intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is necessary for proper absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
The body can manufacture only vitamin D; all others must be derived from the diet. Lack of them causes a wide range of metabolic and other dysfunctions. In the U.S., since 1940, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council has published recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Vitamin E is the general classification for a group of eight fat-soluble compounds of tocopherols and tocotrienols. Vitamin E functions primarily as an antioxidant, but also has other roles in the body [1].
Vitamin D is a necessary component for calcium absorption to prevent boss loss. Nutritionally our body can create vitamin D by sun exposure however many factors can prevent our bodies to create vitamin D such as using sunblock or not getting enough sun exposer from daily routine. Vitamin D can be found in many foods that we such as milk including almond milk, eggs yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. Other vitamins that can help prevent bone loss are vitamin A and C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps reduce oxidative stress which can have a negative effect on the cells in the body. This helps protect against inflammation which takes away calcium from the bones. Vitamin C can be found in many foods such as papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, strawberries, pineapples, oranges and kiwifruit and fruit juices have supplement vitamins. Vitamin A is important for bone growth, vision, cell division and cell differentiation. There are two different forms of vitamin A are retinol and beta-carotene. Retinol can be found in meat, poultry, fish and dairy products while beta-carotene can be found in fruits, vegetables and
Rickets is a bone disease that occurs in children as a result of a Vitamin D deficiency. This disease, which was nearly eradicated in the early 20th century, has become a re-emerging health concern for various countries in the past ten years. Certain factors such as poor nutrition as a result of low socioeconomic status or high concentrations of melanin in the skin can increase the chances of getting rickets. Sufficient Vitamin D levels are crucial to the functioning of the body, especially in the absorption of calcium. This essay will examine the causes, symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of rickets; as well as the importance of Vitamin D and calcium in the prevention and treatment of this disease.
My average intake is 66 mg. it is lower than the required Vitamin C intake. Deficiency in Vitamin C can develop scurvy, if vitamin C is missing on our diet. Oranges, lemon and other citrus fruits, bell pepper, kiwi broccoli, berries, tomatoes and papayas are rich in Vitamin C . Lack of Vitamin D on diet can develop rickets to small children. The required intake for this vitamins is 15microgram and my report is zero. Vitamin D can be achieved from exposure of skin to ultra violet rays of the sun. Vitamin E is responsible for transmission of nerve impulses, body weakness and eye problem that can cause blindness. My nutrient intake for Vitamin 10 mg AT and the require intake is 15 mg AT, which is 5 mg lower than the require amount. Food related to Vitamin E are green leafy vegies such as spinach, kale are rich in Vitamin E, in addition, broccoli, hazel nuts, squash and pumpkin are also rich in Vitamin E. My vitamin K intake is 3 microgram, way too low compared to the requirement which is 90 microgram. Vitamin K deficiency can cause hemorrhagic disease of new born. Food that gives Vitamin K are green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, canola oils, olive oils, and