Too many people today do not get the vitamins and nutrients they need for good health and prevention of sickness and disease. Vitamin D in particular has been getting more attention as more evidence surfaces on its importance. Now, new research suggests that people with diabetes may face an increased risk of heart disease if they have a deficiency of vitamin D. An article in Science News magazine cites a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicating that macrophages, the immune cells that normally fight heart disease by absorbing LDL cholesterol, may do their job too well in cases of vitamin D deficiency. Instead of helping to prevent heart disease in these patients, the macrophages may actually contribute to it.
Endocrinologist Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi and his colleagues tested blood samples from 76 obese people, average age 55, who had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and low vitamin D levels. From these samples, the researchers cultured macrophages and exposed the immune cells to LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). They found that macrophages from type 2 diabetes patients showed a greater tendancy to absorb excessive amounts of LDL when they were cultured without vitamin D than when they were bathed in the vitamin. This transformed the macrophages into cholesterol-filled foam cells, the building blocks of arterial plaque.
Previous research has suggested that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the risk of heart disease, but this is the first indication of the cellular mechanism that actually causes the increased risk.
Foam cells are part of the debris that collects inside blood vessels, eventually forming a fibrous cap of plaque. When the plaque ruptures and a blood clot forms, a stroke or heart attack can occur. The study found that non-diabetics showed much less of this effect than diabetic patients did.
Further research by the same group of scientists has shed light on the reason for these results. In diabetic people, vitamin D helps reduce stress to the endoplasmic reticulum, which controls many cell functions. Reducing stress causes the macrophages to absorb less LDL cholesterol. In cases of vitamin D deficiency, this stress reduction does not take place, and the macrophages absorb more LDL cholesterol than they should. The stress also contributes to inflammation, which releases proteins that degrade plaque and lead to cap breakdown.
Though the results are preliminary and more research will be done on this question in the future, it appears that people with diabetes should pay attention to their vitamin D levels.
There are three ways of getting vitamin D: exposure to sunlight, eating vitamin D-rich foods, and taking supplements. Regular exposure to sunlight allows your body to make its own vitamin D. All you need is about 15 minutes of direct sun, a few times a week. However, you should use common sense and limit your exposure to prevent sunburn.
In addition to sunlight, you can also get vitamin D from certain foods. These include fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines, as well as shrimp. Skim milk and fortified yogurts are good, too, as are fortified cereals. Shiitake mushrooms are also very high in vitamin D. However, since food sources are limited, it might be a good idea to consider a supplement, being sure to get enough Calcium with it as well. It should contain at least the Daily Value, which is 400 IU. Women taking extra calcium should get a brand that includes vitamin D (preferably D3 - cholcaciferol, the most potent form) to go with their Calcium.
Raw, whole food fruits and vegetables are the best source of nutrients for your health. If you don't get enough each day, we recommend adding Juice Plus+® .
The Health & Wellness Institute, PC
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Consult your physician for any health condition before adding any supplement to your diet.
Too many people today do not get the vitamins and nutrients they need for good health and prevention of sickness and disease. Vitamin D in particular has been getting more attention as more evidence surfaces on its importance. Now, new research suggests that people with diabetes may face an increased risk of heart disease if they have a deficiency of vitamin D. An article in Science News magazine cites a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicating that macrophages, the immune cells that normally fight heart disease by absorbing LDL cholesterol, may do their job too well in cases of vitamin D deficiency. Instead of helping to prevent heart disease in these patients, the macrophages may actually contribute to it.
Endocrinologist Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi and his colleagues tested blood samples from 76 obese people, average age 55, who had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and low vitamin D levels. From these samples, the researchers cultured macrophages and exposed the immune cells to LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). They found that macrophages from type 2 diabetes patients showed a greater tendancy to absorb excessive amounts of LDL when they were cultured without vitamin D than when they were bathed in the vitamin. This transformed the macrophages into cholesterol-filled foam cells, the building blocks of arterial plaque.
Previous research has suggested that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the risk of heart disease, but this is the first indication of the cellular mechanism that actually causes the increased risk.
Foam cells are part of the debris that collects inside blood vessels, eventually forming a fibrous cap of plaque. When the plaque ruptures and a blood clot forms, a stroke or heart attack can occur. The study found that non-diabetics showed much less of this effect than diabetic patients did.
Further research by the same group of scientists has shed light on the reason for these results. In diabetic people, vitamin D helps reduce stress to the endoplasmic reticulum, which controls many cell functions. Reducing stress causes the macrophages to absorb less LDL cholesterol. In cases of vitamin D deficiency, this stress reduction does not take place, and the macrophages absorb more LDL cholesterol than they should. The stress also contributes to inflammation, which releases proteins that degrade plaque and lead to cap breakdown.
Though the results are preliminary and more research will be done on this question in the future, it appears that people with diabetes should pay attention to their vitamin D levels.
There are three ways of getting vitamin D: exposure to sunlight, eating vitamin D-rich foods, and taking supplements. Regular exposure to sunlight allows your body to make its own vitamin D. All you need is about 15 minutes of direct sun, a few times a week. However, you should use common sense and limit your exposure to prevent sunburn.
In addition to sunlight, you can also get vitamin D from certain foods. These include fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines, as well as shrimp. Skim milk and fortified yogurts are good, too, as are fortified cereals. Shiitake mushrooms are also very high in vitamin D. However, since food sources are limited, it might be a good idea to consider a supplement, being sure to get enough Calcium with it as well. It should contain at least the Daily Value, which is 400 IU. Women taking extra calcium should get a brand that includes vitamin D (preferably D3 - cholcaciferol, the most potent form) to go with their Calcium.
Raw, whole food fruits and vegetables are the best source of nutrients for your health. If you don't get enough each day, we recommend adding Juice Plus+® .
The Health & Wellness Institute, PC
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Consult your physician for any health condition before adding any supplement to your diet.