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Expert calls vitamin D deficiency major public health challenge

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

There was a time when vitamin D was simply thought to aid in the absorption of calcium. However, studies published in recent years have shown that it actually plays a role in many areas of health. This has led doctors to recommend that patients receive lab testing for vitamin D levels.

Dr. Diane Wallis, a cardiologist at Midwest Heart Specialists, told the Chicago Tribune that she believes vitamin D deficiency is a major health challenge today due to the fact that the nutrient is linked to so many areas of health and deficiencies are so prevalent.

"I consider this one of the major public health issues of our time," she told the news source.

Wallis added that people who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, heart failure and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, they have higher all-cause death rates.

With the knowledge of the importance of vitamin D growing, it has never been more important for individuals to consider blood testing to check their levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one-third of adults have low levels of the nutrients.