Low Vitamin D Linked to Prematurely Stiff Arteries Before 60
Graded Preliminary — a single measurement of 2,047 adults at one hospital; it shows a link but cannot tell cause from effect.
- Design
- Cross-sectional study
- Participants
- 2,047
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- —
Adults under 60 with more vitamin D in their blood less often had overly stiff arteries, mainly in the range of low levels.
Stiff arteries are an early warning sign of future heart and blood vessel disease, even in younger adults. In a study from China, adults under 60 with more vitamin D in their blood less often had arteries that had aged ahead of schedule. The link was clearest among people with low vitamin D levels.
Researchers looked at data from 2,047 people aged 18 to 59 who had routine checkups at a hospital in Qingdao. They measured how fast the pulse wave travels from the arm to the ankle. The stiffer the vessels, the faster it moves. In 687 people, about one in three, the speed was well above normal for their age and sex. Below roughly 18 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood, higher levels went along with less often having stiff arteries. Above that level, no clear link showed up.
The connection may have been stronger in men and in people with excess weight. But everyone was measured only once. So the study cannot tell whether low vitamin D ages the arteries or whether something else drives both. Diet and sun exposure were not recorded.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.