For people with type 2 diabetes, running low on vitamin D may increase risk of death from all causes. That's the finding of a new study of 289 diabetes patients who were followed for an average of 15 years.
By the study's end, 68 percent of participants had died. Looking at data on the study members' vitamin D levels, researchers determined that those with severe vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have died during the course of the study.
Past research shows that older adults with low levels of vitamin D may have an increased risk of dying from heart disease (the leading cause of death in the United States). What's more, maintaining optimal levels of vitamin has been found to protect against high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Since it can be extremely difficult to achieve sufficient levels of vitamin D solely through dietary sources and sunlight exposure, many medical experts recommend upping your vitamin D levels by taking a dietary supplement.
