Faustino R Pérez-López1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zaragoza, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. faustino.perez@unizar.es
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to focus on the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Review of the relevant literature and results from recent clinical studies as well as critical analysis of published results concerning the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women obtained from both a PubMed and individual searches. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Both basic science and clinical studies support the protective role of vitamin D on cardiovascular health, although there are controversial results in the literature. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with disturbed glucose metabolism and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, lipoprotein alterations, hypertension, overweight and obesity. The evidence highlights the importance of improving vitamin D status in the general population for the prevention of adverse long-term health risks, including cardiovascular health. The optimal vitamin D dose remains to be determined. However, correction of low vitamin D itself does not guarantee the prevention of these conditions.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to focus on the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Review of the relevant literature and results from recent clinical studies as well as critical analysis of published results concerning the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women obtained from both a PubMed and individual searches. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Both basic science and clinical studies support the protective role of vitamin D on cardiovascular health, although there are controversial results in the literature. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with disturbed glucose metabolism and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, lipoprotein alterations, hypertension, overweight and obesity. The evidence highlights the importance of improving vitamin D status in the general population for the prevention of adverse long-term health risks, including cardiovascular health. The optimal vitamin D dose remains to be determined. However, correction of low vitamin D itself does not guarantee the prevention of these conditions.
Authors: Grace J Fung; Lyn M Steffen; Xia Zhou; Lisa Harnack; Weihong Tang; Pamela L Lutsey; Catherine M Loria; Jared P Reis; Linda V Van Horn Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2012-05-30 Impact factor: 7.045