Contents:
- Medical Video: Reversing Atherosclerosis (Hardening of the Arteries)
- The risk of thickening of the arteries will double
- Bask in the sun!
Medical Video: Reversing Atherosclerosis (Hardening of the Arteries)
Many children in the world are deficient in vitamin D. In fact, a number of data show that vitamin D deficiency is very bad for health. Research has found evidence of the relationship between vitamin D and arterial health.
Apparently, vitamin D plays an important role in regulating heart health. Studies show that a lack of vitamin D during childhood can cause hardening of the arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes as adults.
The risk of thickening of the arteries will double
A study in Finland was conducted on 2,148 participants between 3-18 years since 1980. Participants carried out several routine physical tests, including vitamin D content, fat tissue level and blood pressure, daily diet menu, and smoker status. When they reach 45 years of age, participants will run an ultrasound test to determine the thickness of the arteries, including the carotid arteries in the neck.
Thickness of arteries, known as carotid intima-thickness, is considered a marker of hardening of the arteries which can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
The researchers divided the participants into four groups, based on vitamin D levels in the blood. The participants with the lowest quartile (with an average level of 15 ng / ml) turned out to have twice as much arterial thickening compared to the other groups, even after adjusting for other heart risks.
The ideal level of vitamin D in the blood is 40 - 80 mg / mL.
The results of the study found an association between lack of vitamin D while still young can increase the occurrence subclinical atherosclerosis as an adult. This relationship is not related to factors that increase the risk of heart attack including fat factors, blood pressure, smoking factors, diet, physical activity, obesity and socioeconomic status.
A lot of research is needed to determine whether low vitamin D in the blood is the main role of the increased risk of thickening of the arteries. However, according to the results of the study, it is very important to provide adequate vitamin D intake on the children's diet.
Bask in the sun!
Your body will absorb vitamin D found in sunlight, which is usually found in many foods. Many health experts think that vitamin D is only useful for maintaining bone health. Now, studies have shown that vitamin D has an important role in preventing cancer and autoimmune diseases, and possibly other chronic diseases.
A study has found an important benefit of sunbathing for health: when exposed to UV radiation, the skin will produce nitric oxide gas, which can help reduce weight gain and regulate metabolism. This means reducing the risk of obesity, an important factor in increasing heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
These findings support the idea that sunbathing must be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, so we are not only obliged to exercise but also receive the benefits of sunlight for the skin. But the skin cannot synthesize vitamin D or nitrogen monoxide when there are obstacles to UV radiation from sunblock clothes or lotions. Some experts suggest that to get enough vitamin D, light-skinned people should bask in the sun for at least 15 minutes without sun protection. People with darker skin or living in areas far from the equator need at least 2-3 times that time.
