Vitamin D and Companionship Good for the Heart

Q. Heart disease runs in my mother's family and since Dad died last year, Mom just isn't taking care of herself. What's the latest on preventing this common threat?

An interesting study from the University of Warwick Medical School found that middle- aged and older adults with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by a whopping 43 percent.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and is also produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are good sources of vitamin D, and it is also available as a dietary supplement.

Researchers looked at 28 studies including 99,745 participants across a variety of ethnic groups including men and women. These studies revealed a significant association between high levels of vitamin D and a decreased risk of developing these three disorders:

● Cardiovascular disease (33 percent compared to low levels of vitamin D)
● Type 2 diabetes (55 percent reduction)
● Metabolic syndrome (51 percent reduction)

The literature review, published in the journal Maturitas, was led by Johanna Parker and Dr. Oscar Franco, Assistant Professor in Public Health at Warwick Medical School.

Why not have your mother check with her physician to learn more about her potential risk of developing heart disease. Her doctor also can provide input on the ways that she can keep herself healthy, whether it’s with vitamins or lifestyle changes.

You mentioned that your mom isn’t taking care of herself. Perhaps she is lonely. Most family caregivers like you work and have families of their own, which make caring for a senior loved one a challenge. Why not consider a professional caregiving company?

For instance, Home Instead CAREGivers could assist your mother with meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands and shopping. A little extra help with these types of activities could be just what your mom needs to stay healthy and fit. And that could be just as good for her heart as any vitamin.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Carroll County, visit www.homeinstead.com/627.1. For more about the study, log on to http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/med/newsfront/?newsItem=094d43cd26c2e92a0126d130e23d5be1.