Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that about one-third of all adults in the have insufficient levels of vitamin D. New research indicates that this trend may put individuals at a greater risk of experiencing metabolic complications.
A team of researchers from Tufts Medical Center in Boston examined the association between vitamin D levels and metabolic complications in a group of at-risk individuals. The results suggested that participants who had the highest levels of the nutrient in their blood exhibited the strongest metabolic health.
The findings provide one more reason why people should make efforts to boost their vitamin D levels. Numerous studies conducted over the past few years have indicated that the nutrient may support heart health and immune health. The latest research adds to the growing list of observed health benefits associated with vitamin D.
However, the findings also highlight the serious nature of the vitamin D insufficiency epidemic. For years, the nutrient was presumed only to support bone health. Because of the limited nature of its known health benefits, medical experts failed to place a strong emphasis on it, and many people allowed their vitamin D levels to dip into unhealthy territory.
Now, as evidence of the wide range of health benefits associated with the nutrient continues to emerge, it is clear that people with very low levels may face health risks.
One of the easiest ways to boost vitamin D levels is to take nutritional supplements containing it. Oily fish, mushrooms and fortified foods also contain vitamin D, but with so few natural food sources, it can be difficult to maintain adequate levels through diet alone.
