Lack of vitamin D may up risk of heart and stroke-related deaths

A new study has found that lack of vitamin D might increase the risk of heart and stroke-related deaths among black Americans.

Lead author Dr Kevin Fiscella said a complex host of genetic and lifestyle factors among blacks may explain why this population group has lower vitamin D levels across the lifespan than other races.

He said that people get vitamin D through their diets, sun exposure, and oral supplements.

Genetic factors common to blacks sometimes preclude vitamin D absorption, such as a higher incidence of lactose intolerance, which can eliminate vitamin-D fortified milk from the diet, and darker skin pigment that significantly reduces vitamin D synthesis.

“Therefore, our study suggests that the next step would be to intervene to boost vitamin D levels safely, with supplements,” said Fiscella, a national expert on disparities in health care and a professor of Family Medicine and Community and Preventive Medicine at URMC.