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A comprehensive meta-study of 99 randomized controlled trials has shed new light on the potential cardiometabolic benefits of vitamin D supplementation. The research, published in the journal Engineering, analyzed data from 17,656 participants worldwide and found significant associations between vitamin D intake and improvements in several key health markers. This study aims to reconcile conflicting findings from previous research by accounting for various factors that may have contributed to inconsistent results.
Key Points:
- An average supplemental dose of 3,320 IU of vitamin D per day was associated with reductions in blood pressure, total cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin and glucose.
- The greatest benefits were observed in non-Western populations, individuals with lower baseline vitamin D levels, those with a BMI under 30, and people aged 50 and older.
- Factors contributing to heterogeneity in earlier studies included ethnocultural background, age, body weight, and baseline circulating 25[OH]D levels.
- The study suggests a personalized approach to vitamin D supplementation may be necessary, as “one size does not fit all.”
- Although the meta-study shows promising associations, experts note that a direct cause-and-effect relationship between vitamin D supplementation and reduced cardiovascular risk has not yet been established.
- The research indicates that individuals with obesity and low 25[OH]D levels may require higher vitamin D doses and longer intervention durations.
- Additional benefits of vitamin D on bone health, muscle function, and reduced inflammation were noted, with potential positive effects on hypertension, diabetes, and lipids warranting further investigation.
“Achieving optimal levels of vitamin D for cardiometabolic health would require careful assessment of each person’s ethnocultural background and biological features to implement personalized intervention strategies.”
– Simin Liu, MD, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology, Surgery, and Medicine at Brown University
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