According to a recent study, conducted at several research institutions across the United States, – Vitamin D deficiency is present in almost all patients who’ve experienced an acute heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).
The active Vitamin D 25(OH)D levels were measured in 239 patients that were participants in a 20 hospital prospective myocardial infarction registry. Patients enrolled from June 1 to December 31, 2008, had blood samples sent to a centralized laboratory and analyzed. Normal 25(OH)D levels are ≥30 ng/ml, and patients with levels <30 and >20 ng/ml were classified as insufficient and those with levels ≤20 ng/ml as deficient.
Over 75% Were Vitamin D Deficient
Of the 239 enrolled patients, 179 (75%) were 25(OH)D deficient and 50 (21%) were insufficient, for a total of 96% of patients with abnormally low 25(OH)D levels.
No significant differences was observed among age or gender subgroups, but 25(OH)D deficiency was more commonly seen in non–Caucasian patients and those with lower social support, no insurance, diabetes, and lower activity levels.
Radiation Protection
While our knowledge of Vitamin D increases, it is becoming clear that the most active form, Vitamin D3 (calcitriol), has the ability to provide protection against a spectrum of cellular damage caused by radiation. It’s protective action is carried coordinated by a wide variety of mechanisms.
A paper in the International Journal of Low Radiation argued that vitamin D should be considered among the prime nonpharmacological agents that offer protection against low radiation damage and radiation-induced cancer — or even the primary agent.:
“… [O]ur understanding of how vitamin D mediates biological responses has entered a new era … In view of the evidence that has been presented here, it would appear that vitamin D by its preventive/ameliorating actions should be given serious consideration as a protective agent against sublethal radiation injury, and in particular that induced by low radiation”.
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