Vitamin D: New Miracle Vitamin

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Vitamin D is the hottest nutrient in medical circles now. It has been credited with fighting everything from cancer to chronic pain. The latest news:

Cuts heart attacks. Men with low levels of vitamin D are about two times more apt to suffer a heart attack than men with sufficient D, Harvard researchers say. Their theory: Vitamin D lessens inflammation, high blood pressure and vascular calcification, all factors in cardiovascular disease.

Curbs cancer. A research team at the University of California-San Diego says that 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily could reduce breast cancer rates by half and slash the risk of colon cancer by two-thirds.

Prevents diabetes. Men with blood richest in vitamin D were 72% less apt to develop type 2 diabetes after age 40 than men with the least vitamin D, says a new Finnish study.

Boosts brain. Older people with depression or dementia may benefit from extra vitamin D, Dutch researchers say. Men and women over 65 with major or minor depression had 14% lower vitamin D levels than their non-depressed peers. And among Alzheimer’s patients, those with higher vitamin D levels scored better on tests of cognitive function.

This EatSmart column is reprinted from USAWEEKEND Magazine and is copyrighted by Jean Carper. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Jean Carper.