Vitamin D is important to the body because it helps to maintain bone density, aids in the absorption of calcium, and seems to lower the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to the sun, and many foods, including milk, cereals, breads, and orange juice, are vitamin D-fortified. Yet, up to 60% of the older population in the United States is not getting enough vitamin D. Prior research has suggested that there is a link between low vitamin D levels and cardiac risk. In the most recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, scientific investigators from Austria reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

The investigators identified 3258 Caucasian patients (both male and female) with an average age of 62 years and followed their medical status for an average of 7.7 years, during which 737 patients died. Four hundred sixty-three of these deaths were attributed to cardiovascular causes. The investigators found that patients with lower levels of vitamin D had a significantly higher risk of death from cardiovascular causes, as well as all causes, during the follow-up period. These results were statistically significant for both men and women, and they were not affected by underlying coronary artery disease or physical activity level.

The recommended minimum level of vitamin D in the blood is 20 to 30 ng/mL, as lower levels have been linked to decreased bone mineral density, falls, fractures, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. While the finding of this study is compelling, the exact cause-and-effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and mortality risk is not known. Still, ensuring adequate vitamin D intake and blood levels seems to be a wise idea.