[헬스코리아뉴스 / 김학령] Nowadays, 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 required by the human body when exposed to sunlight.
As is known, research has shown that vitamin D, in addition to its effects on bone health, can protect the cardiovascular system by preventing inflammation. The efficacy of vitamin D, particularly the cardiovascular protective effect, has been investigated.
Benefits of vitamin D
Vitamin D is activated by the effects of sunlight and the metabolism of the liver and kidneys, increasing the absorption of calcium in the body and playing an important role in maintaining bone health. Several studies have also shown 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 shown 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 inhibiting the inflammatory response and preventing blood clot formation and calcification.
Vitamin D intake and anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammatory reactions are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as endothelial dysfunction and vascular calcification. Vitamin D acts on immune cells to produce antibacterial substances and regulates T cells to prevent inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, YKL-40, a glycoprotein released from endothelial cells and various inflammatory cells, affects the deterioration of endothelial cell function and atherosclerosis.
In a study conducted by Turkiye researchers in December last year, the relationship between vitamin D and YLK-40 was identified. Blood levels of YKL-40 were higher in rats fed cholesterol-enriched diets than those not, and levels increased significantly when they were fed vitamin D-deprived diets. On the hand another, 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 prevent 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 worsen cardiovascular disease.
Thus, the effect of vitamin D on long-term cardiovascular prognosis depends on the concentration of YKL-40, that is, the inflammatory state of the individual, 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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