Vitamin D has been linked to heart health in previous studies and is generally considered safe, but a new study suggests that excessive consumption of this vital nutrient could more than double the risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm, which is also known as atrial fibrillation. This condition causes excess vitamin D to collect in the bloodstream which can cause blood clots in the heart. Often taken as a supplement due to the body’s inability to produce vitamin D on its own, this could be leading to other health concerns.
The arrhythmia leads to the upper chambers of the heart to quiver which can lead to blood settling and clotting, rather than the heart squeezing the blood into the lower chambers and to the circulatory system. if a clot travels into the bloodstream, it can cause a stroke or a heart attack, as well as being linked to memory-related heath disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. The study was carried out by the Intermountain Medical Centre.
Vitamin D is not produced naturally by the body and is generally created through exposure to natural sunlight or from certain fortified foods. Often people opt for supplements though, to ensure that they get a sufficient dose of the nutrient. However, if you’re eating fortified foods in addition to taking supplements, you could actually be consuming too much vitamin D which could lead to these health problems. As with medications and drugs, taking the correct dosage of vitamins and minerals is important in order to avoid health problems. With vitamin D, levels between 41 and 80 nanograms is advised. Those with levels of 100 nanograms were more than twice as likely to suffer from atrial fibrillation as opposed to those who had normal levels of vitamin D in their bodies. If you’re taking supplements for vitamin D, speak to your GP to ensure you’re getting the correct dose.
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