Pharmacists Can Suggest Vitamin D Supplementation to Benefit Cardiometabolic Health

According to a study published in Engineering, researchers found that vitamin D supplementation could greatly impact cardiometabolic health, targeting cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and associated risks.¹

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The prevalence of vitamin D in relation to CVD has increased in recent years as vitamin and mineral supplements are commonly used to prevent CVD. Despite improvements in therapies to aid CVD, it remains the number one cause of morbidity and morality, according to the release.²

According to the American Heart Association, CVD includes heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems. Common treatments for different types of CVD often involve medications, heart surgeries, pacemakers, and lifestyle changes.³

Vitamin D can enter the body through consumption of supplements or through natural diet, which is essential to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Previous studies have displayed a connection between vitamin D levels and CVD risk through nuclear vitamin D receptors in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. However, the study authors noted that large randomized clinical controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated conflicting results. The current study aimed to clarify specific sources of heterogenicity among the RCTs on vitamin D supplementation and improved cardiometabolic risk factors.²

The meta-analysis included 99 RCTs, including a total of 17,656 individuals aged 6 to 75 years. The study authors noted that the results displayed tolerable impacts on cardiometabolic risk factors with a vitamin D dose of 3320 international units (IU) per day. The risk factors included reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A_1c, and fasting blood insulin. Additionally, the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation benefited significantly among non-Western populations, individuals with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 15.0 ng/mL¹, those with a body mass index below 30 kg/m², and older individuals 50 years or older.¹

The study results suggested that vitamin D supplementation improved total cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and all glycemic parameters among RCT individuals.²

“Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D levels are required to maintain cardiovascular health in non-Westerners, obese, and older populations. Consequently, consideration should be given to administering higher doses for longer durations when designing personalized intervention strategies aimed at enhancing cardiometabolic health in these populations,” said the study authors in a new release.²

Pharmacists and health care providers can aid efficacy and reduce the occurrence of cardiometabolic diseases by tailoring vitamin D supplementation based on the individuals’ characteristics and risks. However, the study authors noted that further studies need to be conducted to assess the long-term effects and risks that relate to high-dose vitamin D supplementation.¹

Limitations in the study included inconsistent and insufficient clinical trial results to statistically evaluate the effect of vitamin D on CVD outcomes, resulting in uncertainty regarding effectiveness of supplementation.² Despite this, the results provide optimism for preventive strategies to aid cardiovascular diseases.¹

REFERENCES

1. Targeted vitamin D supplementation strategies show promise in boosting cardiometabolic health. EurekAlert!. News release. September 9, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1057367

2. Modifiers of the Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Science Direct. News release. July 26, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095809924003990?via%3Dihub

3. What is Cardiovascular Disease?. American Heart Association. News release. January 10, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease