Vitamin D is an 'inexpensive solution' to heart drugs find scientists as they reveal the sunshine supplement can repair and prevent the damage caused by diabetes and high blood pressure

  • Stimulates the production of nitric acid, which helps to regulate blood flow
  • Also prevents blood clots and lowers 'internal stress' in the cardio-system
  • Vitamin D may be able to repair damaged cells elsewhere, such as in the brain
  • Heart disease is defined as any disorder affecting the organ or blood vessels
  • Is the leading cause of death in adults in the US; resulting in one in four fatalities

By Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Vitamin D is an 'inexpensive solution' to drugs as scientists discover the sunshine supplement repairs and prevents damage to the heart caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.

The sunshine supplement stimulates the production of nitric acid, which is involved in regulating blood flow and preventing the formation of blood clots, according to the first study of its kind.

It also reduces 'internal stress' in the cardiovascular system, which could avoid heart-related incidents, the research adds.

Study author Dr Tadeusz Malinski from Ohio University, said: 'There are not many, if any, known systems which can be used to restore cardiovascular cells which are already damaged, and vitamin D can do it. 

'This is a very inexpensive solution to repair the cardiovascular system. We don't have to develop a new drug. We already have it.'

Heart disease, which is any disorder affecting the organ or blood vessels, is the leading cause of death in adults in the US, resulting in one in four fatalities.

Vitamin D repairs and prevents damage to the heart caused by conditions like diabetes (stock)

Vitamin D repairs and prevents damage to the heart caused by conditions like diabetes (stock)

DOES VITAMIN D PREVENT ARTHRITIS?

Vitamin D may prevent inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, research suggested in November 2017.

The so-called 'sunshine supplement' strengthens the immune system, which helps to prevent the body from attacking healthy cells and causing autoimmune conditions, like arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes joint swelling, may also benefit from vitamin D's anti-inflammatory effects.

Yet, as the painful joint condition reduces a sufferer's vitamin D sensitivity, patients may not benefit from taking such supplements once they have developed the disorder, or at least not at recommended doses, according to the researchers.

Study author Dr Louisa Jeffery from the University of Birmingham, said: 'Our research indicates that maintaining sufficient vitamin D may help to prevent the onset of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

'However, for patients who already have rheumatoid arthritis, simply providing vitamin D might not be enough. Instead much higher doses may be needed'. 

The researchers analysed blood and joint fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients. 

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How the research was carried out 

The researchers analyzed heart cells taken from a group of Caucasian and African Americans.

They used special sensors to track the impact of vitamin D in these cells. 

'This is a very inexpensive solution'  

Dr Malinski said: 'Generally, vitamin D is associated with the bones. However, in recent years, in clinical settings people recognize that many patients who have a heart attack will have a deficiency. 

'It doesn't mean the deficiency caused the heart attack, but it increased the risk.

'There are not many, if any, known systems which can be used to restore cardiovascular cells which are already damaged, and vitamin D can do it. 

'This is a very inexpensive solution to repair the cardiovascular system. We don't have to develop a new drug. We already have it.'

The researchers believe vitamin D may also be able to repair damage to other types of cells, such as those found in the brain after a stroke.  

The findings were published in the journal Nanomedicine.  

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