A lack of vitamin D, a nutrient that is generated primarily through exposure to sunlight, helps boost the risk of heart attacks and strokes.Experts estimate that up to half of adults and 30 percent of children and teenagers in the United States are vitamin D-deficient. There is a wide array of studies linking increased cardiovascular risk with vitamin D deficiency. For example, recent data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study indicated that someone with vitamin D levels below 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood is twice as likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problem within two years compared to those with higher levels.
Vitamin D is well known as the "sunshine vitamin" because human skin makes the nutrient upon exposure to sunlight.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report December 1, 2008
Journal of the American College of Cardiology December 9, 2008; 52:1949-1956
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