Vitamin D Guards Against Artery Disease

[meateater]

Vitamin D may protect against peripheral artery disease (PAD), a disease in which fatty deposits restrict blood flow to your limbs. PAD most often reduces blood flow to your legs, causing pain and numbness. It can impair your ability to walk and in some cases lead to amputation.

Scientists found that people with low levels of vitamin D in their blood experience an increased risk for the condition.

The researchers based the findings on a U.S. government health survey involving almost 5,000 adults who underwent PAD assessment and had their blood vitamin D levels measured. The 25 percent of people with the lowest vitamin D levels were 80 percent more likely to have PAD than those in the highest 25 percent.



Sources:

Reuters April 16, 2008
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology April 16, 2008

[liftsiron]

Good info, I think that it may have something to do with the vitimin D-calcium relationship.

[jboldman]

so we are looking at an increased rate of PAD in folks with borderline vitamin D deficiency?

jb

[stunner69]

Low levels of vitamin D and calcium has also been linked to MS.