The era of taking nutritional supplements that are said to be good for the body has passed, and now a society where people take nutritional supplements tailored to their individual needs has come. Nevertheless, there are nutrients that are commonly recommended for many people. An example is vitamin D. This is because the majority of Koreans are reported to be vitamin D deficient. Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D is synthesized in the body and is produced in the amount needed by the body when exposed to sunlight.
In general, there are many cases where the effect of vitamin D is only known to be helpful for bone health, but recently, research has shown that it can protect the cardiovascular system by suppressing inflammation. Therefore, vitamin D intake is recommended for high-risk groups who need to pay attention to cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D is activated by sunlight and liver and kidney metabolism, increasing calcium absorption in the body and playing an important role in maintaining bone health. Several studies have demonstrated that vitamin D is excellent for cardiovascular protection. It also lowers the secretion of the enzyme renin, which increases blood pressure, delaying the onset of hypertension and heart failure.
Vitamin D deficiency is likely to occur when there is little outdoor activity and lack of sunlight in winter, and several studies have already proven that the incidence of cardiovascular disease is high when the level of vitamin D in the blood is low. Professor Kim Hak-ryeong of Cardiovascular Internal Medicine at Boramae Hospital explained, “Vitamin D suppresses the inflammatory response and suppresses the formation and calcification of blood clots to improve myocardial contractility.
Inflammatory reactions are associated with cardiovascular diseases such as endothelial endothelial dysfunction and vascular calcification. Vitamin D acts on immune cells to produce antibacterial substances and regulates T cells to suppress inflammatory reactions. On the other hand, YKL-40, a glycoprotein secreted from endothelial cells and various inflammatory cells, affects endothelial cell function decline and atherosclerosis.
In a study conducted by Turkiye researchers in December last year, the relationship between vitamin D and YLK-40 was identified. The blood levels of YKL-40 were higher in rats fed cholesterol-enriched diets than those not fed, and the level increased significantly when they were fed diets deprived of vitamin D. On the other hand, when vitamin D was supplied, the increase in blood concentration was attenuated in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.
Vitamin D can suppress chronic inflammation by reducing YKL-40 levels, and although the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the cardiovascular system are not clear, it is clear that low levels exacerbate cardiovascular disease.
“The effect of vitamin D on the long-term cardiovascular prognosis depends on the concentration of YKL-40, that is, the individual’s inflammatory state,” said Professor Kim Hak-ryeong. there is,” he said.
