Vitamin D and cholesterol are closely linked in bodily processes: The biggest source of vitamin D for individuals is the sun. Vitamin D is synthesized in liver and kidney and cholesterol plays an important role in this process. High cholesterol can be life threatening since it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Although many observational studies have suggested that vitamin D is beneficial for heart health it was difficult to prove that vitamin D was actually causing an effect on cholesterol. The Spanish scientists now successfully determined the association between vitamin D and cholesterol.
In a cross-sectional population-based study they examined data on sun exposure, sun protection habits, current medication and estimated vitamin D intake of 177 individuals aged 18 to 84 years. The results suggest that people with lower vitamin D levels are more likely to have high cholesterol. The scientists state: “This relation cannot be accidental if we consider that cholesterol and vitamin D follow the same metabolic pathway.”
“This study shows that healthy vitamin D levels are associated with low cholesterol levels. Even in sunny countries like Spain people are hit by ʻmodern lifestyleʼ resulting in too little sun exposure even in summer, and consequently low vitamin D levels”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Source:
Cutillas-Marco E, Prosper AF, Grant WB, Morales-Suárez-Varela MM: Vitamin D status and hypercholesterolemia in Spanish general population. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Jun 1;5(3):358-62. doi: 10.4161/derm.27497. Epub 2013 Dec 18.
Although many observational studies have suggested that vitamin D is beneficial for heart health it was difficult to prove that vitamin D was actually causing an effect on cholesterol. The Spanish scientists now successfully determined the association between vitamin D and cholesterol.
In a cross-sectional population-based study they examined data on sun exposure, sun protection habits, current medication and estimated vitamin D intake of 177 individuals aged 18 to 84 years. The results suggest that people with lower vitamin D levels are more likely to have high cholesterol. The scientists state: “This relation cannot be accidental if we consider that cholesterol and vitamin D follow the same metabolic pathway.”
“This study shows that healthy vitamin D levels are associated with low cholesterol levels. Even in sunny countries like Spain people are hit by ʻmodern lifestyleʼ resulting in too little sun exposure even in summer, and consequently low vitamin D levels”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Source:
Cutillas-Marco E, Prosper AF, Grant WB, Morales-Suárez-Varela MM: Vitamin D status and hypercholesterolemia in Spanish general population. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Jun 1;5(3):358-62. doi: 10.4161/derm.27497. Epub 2013 Dec 18.
