Plus, what you better know before you reach for a vitamin D supplement.
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When exposed to sunlight, your body manufactures vitamin D using a pop in of cholesterol.
(Yes, evena certain amount of cholesterolis necessary for good health!)
Photo:Eating Well/Getty Images
This is why vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin.
How Was This Study Conducted?
Just over half were women.
Participants were randomly split up into two groups.
In addition, all participants took 1,000 mg of calcium citrate a day.
The study lasted one year.
Participants were also contacted by phone every two weeks to reinforce compliance with taking their supplements.
What Did the Study Find?
After a year, all data was gathered and run through several statistical analyses.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation was linked to a reduction in blood pressure.
Specifically:
Researchers also ran analyses on subgroups of participants to further refine results.
High vitamin D doses compared to the IOMs recommended daily dose did not provide additional health benefits.
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
There are a few things that are important to note regarding this study.
Researchers also noted that certain subgroups seemed to glean better results.
With that said, vitamin D and calcium are two nutrients that people tend to be low in.
Do an assessment of your diet.
Are you regularly eating foods high in vitamin D?
Regarding vitamin D, you also need to take into consideration your time spent outdoors.
But not just timethe amount of exposed skin matters, too.
And of course, you dont want to risk frostbite during colder months to get your sunlight.
As far as blood pressure goes, calcium and vitamin D are not the only things to consider.
Have your blood levels checked and work with a registered dietitian to get the right amount for you.
2018;10(4):457. doi:10.3390/nu10040457
