Vitamin D May Reduce Cardiovascular Risk

Study Suggests Potential Benefits of Vitamin D Caps in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk

Thomas Sople, Jul 12, 2023.

A new analysis of a large prospective randomized trial, called the D-Health study, indicates that high monthly doses of vitamin D may offer cardiovascular benefits. While the study published in BMJ did not show a significant drop in the overall risk of cardiovascular events among adults aged 60 or older, it revealed a potential 19% reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) associated with vitamin D supplementation. The trial, conducted in Australia from 2014 to 2020, involved over 21,000 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or vitamin D3 supplements for 5 years.

The study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with an 11% decrease in the risk of coronary revascularization. A subgroup analysis suggested a potential reduced risk of cardiovascular events among participants who were already taking statins or other cardiovascular medications. Although the composite primary endpoint did not reach significance, the results indicate a possible benefit for MI. However, the study authors caution that these findings may be chance findings and further research is needed.

Lead investigator Rachel E. Neale emphasized the significance of the study's MI findings while acknowledging that most other studies have not shown a benefit for vitamin D in major cardiovascular events. Neale suggested that clinicians consider supplementing elderly individuals without contraindications, particularly those at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but highlighted the need to inform patients that the evidence supporting this recommendation is not strong.

The study demonstrated that better farming techniques leading to improved long-term fertility and yields could help store more carbon in soils, potentially aiding in keeping global warming within the 1.5°C target. The data showed that storing just 1% more carbon in approximately half of the world's agricultural soils could absorb about 31 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The estimates were based on the D-Health trial, which assessed the impact of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes.

While the study did not provide strong evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation specifically for cardiovascular disease prevention, researchers noted the potential benefits among individuals who were already vitamin D sufficient at baseline. They stressed the importance of further studies in other populations, including those with higher rates of vitamin D deficiency, to better understand the interaction between vitamin D supplementation and cardiovascular medications.

The D-Health trial suggests a potential benefit of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. However, further research is needed to determine the specific implications for cardiovascular disease prevention. Vitamin D supplementation remains an area of interest, but clinicians should carefully evaluate individual patient circumstances and consider the limitations of the available evidence.