Low vitamin D levels linked to metabolic syndrome

foodnavigator.com ^ | 04-Aug-2009 | Stephen Daniells

[neverdem]

Increasing blood levels of vitamin D are linked to a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, as well as improved 'good' cholesterol levels, says a new study.

According to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, the lowest levels of the sunshine vitamin were associated with a 31 per cent prevalence of metabolic syndrome, compared to only 10 per cent for people wit the highest average levels.

The researchers noted that the results do not prove that low vitamin D levels contributes or causes metabolic syndrome, and called for more studies to "assess whether increasing vitamin D intake will improve the metabolic cardiovascular risk factor profile."

"Although previous surveys have also reported associations between low 25(OH)D concentration and metabolic syndrome components, to our knowledge, the present investigation is the first to report this finding in a sample with a high prevalence of vitamin D dietary supplement users in which frequencies of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were low," wrote the researchers, led by Kevin Maki from Illinois-based Provident Clinical Research

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition characterised by central obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism. The syndrome has been linked to increased risks of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Study details

The researchers analysed vitamin D levels in the blood of 257 men and women aged over 18. Dietary and supplementary intakes were assessed using a food frequency and dietary supplement questionnaires, said the researchers.

Their results showed that vitamin D blood levels were associated with HDL cholesterol levels.

"The most notable finding from the present study was the strong relationship between serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and HDL-C concentrations," wrote the researchers.

"Each 10 ng/mL increment in 25(OH)D was associated with an increase of 3.8 to 4.2 mg/dL in HDL-C [...] This is of considerable potential importance given that each 1 mg/dL increment in HDL-C is associated with a 4 to 6 per cent reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk."

They also observed inverse associations between vitamin D levels and triglyceride levels, body mass index, and waist circumference, meaning that higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower values for these measurables.

Explanation

"A potential explanation for our observation of an inverse association between 25(OH)D and indicators of adiposity (waist and body mass index) may be that vitamin D is fat soluble and is therefore easily sequestered in adipose tissue," wrote the researchers.

"Thus, there is a greater storage capacity for vitamin D in overweight and obese individuals, which may result in a reduced circulating concentration of 25(OH)D.

"As a result, in order to maintain a given circulating 25(OH)D concentration, overweight and obese individuals may have to consume higher quantities of vitamin D than would be the case for normal weight populations," they said.

Source: Journal of Clinical Lipidology
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2009.07.003
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D is Independently Associated with High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and the Metabolic Syndrome in Men and Women
Authors: K.C. Maki, M.R. Rubin, L.G. Wong, J.F. McManus, C.D. Jensen, J.W. Marshall, A. Lawless

[GOP Poet]

Thanks for the post.

[Daveinyork]

With everyone spooked about skin cancer, and the little monsters spoiled by central heat and air conditioning, nobody goes out in the sun anymore.

[wilco200]

Vitamin D has positive effects in protecting you from Swine Flu - or you could just get the untested government vaccine :)

[Califreak]

Vitamin D deficiency runs rampant in hypothyroids.

[mlizzy]

Mercola.com sells sunscreen that is 100% natural that allows vitamin D in but keeps you from getting burned. We just ordered a couple bottles and my daughter who is fair-skinned said so far, so good.

[SkyDancer]

And if they were sent out in the sun they’d be so lathered up with sunblock it wouldn’t do any good ....there was one time an urban legend going around about how sunblock if got in the eyes would cause blindness - the answer was: better blind than have skin cancer ...

[Myrddin]

I wonder if this is a correlation vs causation observation. People who get lots of fresh air, sunshine and exercise are going to have higher vitamin D levels. Those who park themselves in front of a TV and stuff their faces are going to have low vitamin D unless they are purposely supplementing. Did anyone control for that factor?

[steve86]

How’s the weather down there? Any cooler than here (108 the other day)? Lots of vitamin D for the taking. But I take 4000 IU D3 even so.

[goodnesswins]

That’s interesting (hypothyroid connection).....never knew that....I’m hypo....and have LOW Vit D levels.

[goodnesswins]

I probably get more sunshine than the average office worker....and I have LOW Vit D levels....I think there’s other things that affect it.

[Myrddin]

I've been in San Diego since Father's Day. No contracts to work in Pokey. My Suzuki DR650 traveled with me. I've traded it in and purchased a 2009 Kawasaki Versys. It's a much better commuter bike on the "tine textured" cement freeways. Those MEFO Sport Explorers were great tires on dirt and asphalt in Pocatello. They are scary on the grooved pavement. At 65 MPH, the bike tries to shake you off. The Versys is rock solid. I can't do anything about the wind noise. Maybe some ear plugs. A bigger Givi D405ST windshield is on my "want" list.

Driving back up to Pokey on Thursday. Will drop the hitch bike carrier and return with the 3 rail bike trailer so the Versys can come home in late September.

Are you having a decent summer in your neck of the woods?

[neverdem]

Vitamin D deficiency runs rampant in hypothyroids.

It's something to consider. Enter vitamin D and hypothyroidism into PubMed's query box.

FReepmail me if you want on or off the diabetes ping list.

[steve86]

Yes, I knew you were staying with a relative. I haven’t ridden except for my scooter, but will get the KTM and Honda out after we get a break in the hot weather. I saw a guy with a black leather jacket and black helmet at lunch today and don’t know how they do it. Next year my old but new Yamaha enduro bike will qualify for “vintage” status, so it will no longer need annual license tabs. It is fun to ride a two stroke on the street! Maybe you needed a steering stabilizer on the DR650?

[Myrddin]

Maybe you needed a steering stabilizer on the DR650?

I could have changed tires or simply continued putting 1400 miles/month on the Mariner Hybrid. Frankly, the new bike is a better fit to my riding habits. The street is available for a longer time than off road in my area. The Versys is fuel injected, so it will run better at higher elevations. I can still do the technical off road riding on the TW200 and XT250 bikes. The DR650 was too heavy for the kind of trails I wanted to explore.

[neverdem]

I wonder if this is a correlation vs causation observation.

It was just an observational study, so you can't tell.

Resolve A DOI Name

doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2009.07.003

[norraad]

I had and love my Eduro( a 1972 model), too!

btw- boost skins absorptive ability - end each shower with a little scrub down of Epsom Salts before final rinse off.

You'll get addicted to doing it it, it makes your skin feel great!

[Califreak]

B12 deficiencies are very common in hypos too.

I’m hypo and deficient in vitamin B6 of all things.

[Califreak]

Oh-and iron deficiency is common in hypos too.

[retrokitten]

Really? I have never heard that before. I’ve heard of the vitamin D connection to MS, but not hypothyroid. I will definitely look into that further.