Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D is independently associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the metabolic syndrome in men and women. Journal of Clinical Lipidology (2009) 3, 289–296

“Metabolic syndrome” describes poor health associated with obesity and eating habits. The International Diabetes Federation (2006) defined it as a high waist circumference plus two of the following: high blood triglycerides, low “good” cholesterol, high blood pressure or high fasting glucose. Earlier studies showed an inverse correlation between serum vitamin D and metabolic syndrome markers (1–5).

A new study examined these markers in people receiving 600–1100 IU vitamin D daily compared with the general population. First, the effect of supplements on serum vitamin D was examined. The supplemented group had higher 25(OH)D levels, while sun exposure and dietary vitamin D had less influence on serum levels.

The 257 participants were divided by serum levels into three groups:

  • Level 1, low: <35 ng/mL.
  • Level 2, moderate: 35–45 ng/mL.
  • Level 3, high: >45 ng/mL.

Cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, waist circumference and BMI were measured in each participant. High “good” cholesterol, low fasting glucose, low triglycerides, smaller waist circumference and lower BMI clearly correlated with higher blood vitamin D.

Each 10 ng/mL increase in blood vitamin D was correlated with a 4.2 mg/dL increase in HDL.

REFERENCES:

1. Dobnig H, Pilz S, Scharnagl H, et al. Independent association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin d levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1340–1349.
2 Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study. ArchIntern Med. 2008;168:1174–1180.
3. Martini LA, Wood RJ. Vitamin D status and the metabolic syndrome.Nutr Rev. 2006;64:479–486.
4. Botella-Carretero JI, Alvarez-Blasco F,Villafruela JJ,Balsa JA,Va´zquezC, Escobar-Morreale HF. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the metabolic syndrome in morbid obesity. Clin Nutr. 2007;26:573–580.
5. http://www.prlog.org/10345625-metabolic-syndrome-risk-factors-drive-significantly-higher-healthcare-costs.html
6. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr013.pdf

Leave a Reply