Vitamin D Supplements Promote Heart-Healthy Lipid Levels
Lee Swanson Research Update
New research indicates older women who take a daily vitamin D supplement may significantly reduce their LDL cholesterol levels. In a study involving 600 postmenopausal American women, subjects were divided into two groups who received either a daily calcium/vitamin D supplement (CaD, containing 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D-3) or a placebo. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) and lipid levels (HDL, LDL and triglycerides) were assessed at baseline and at the conclusion of the trial.
After two years, women in the calcium/vitamin D group had a 4.46 mg/dL mean decrease in serum LDL compared to the placebo group. Overall, higher serum 25OHD3 levels were associated with higher HDL levels and lower triglyceride and LDL levels in the study population. The study authors concluded that “these results support the hypothesis that higher concentrations of 25OHD3, in response to Ca/D supplementation, are associated with improved LDL.”
Schnatz PF, Jiang X, et al. Calcium/vitamin D supplementation, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and cholesterol profiles in the Women's Health Initiative calcium/vitamin D randomized trial. Menopause. 2014 Mar 3. [Epub ahead of print]