Vitamin D PREVENTS Heart "Hiccups"?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 4, 2023
Frankly, EVERYONE reading this should be taking vitamin D.
You probably know by now just how beneficial and crucial this “sunshine” vitamin is for your health.
From improving bone health and muscle function, to lowering blood pressure and reducing depression—there’s no shortage on what this vitamin can do.
And recently, we’ve learned it can be a powerful tool when it comes to heart health.
Specifically helping to prevent dangerous “heart hiccups” …
As we get older, our bodies develop all sorts of hiccups.
When those hiccups happen in your heart, they’re called arrhythmias.
An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm or irregularity in the heartbeat. Normally, the heart contracts and relaxes in an organized manner, allowing it to pump blood throughout the body.
In an arrhythmia, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat may be too fast, too slow, or irregular—all of these disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm.
These are often the first sign of heart disease. But they’re also dangerous because an irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool and create clots.
Those clots can then move through the body and block smaller blood vessels. If this happens in your head, it causes a stroke. If it happens in your heart, it triggers a heart attack.
While all sorts of theories have been proposed to explain the hiccupping heart, no one quite knows WHY we develop arrhythmias.
But we do know a bit about how to prevent them. And recently, a new study shows vitamin D could be a key player in the fight.
The study published in the American Heart Journal found that high doses of vitamin D may prevent the most common form of arrhythmias called atrial fibrillation.
- Half the study participants took 40 micrograms (1600 IU) of vitamin D daily.
- The remaining volunteers took 80 micrograms (3200 IU) of vitamin D daily.
The recommended daily allowance for D is 15 micrograms (600 IU) per day. So both dosages are considered high.
After following the participants for four years, the researchers found that folks taking 40 micrograms had a 27 percent lower risk of atrial fibrillation, and those taking 80 had a 32 percent lower risk.
Earlier research found that vitamin D CAN affect the heart’s electrical function. So it makes sense that the vitamin could reduce the risk of developing arrhythmias.
I typically recommend starting with a blood test and then supplementing until you’re well within the normal range. Everyone will need a different amount to reach that level.
This study suggests we should consider taking MORE than the recommended levels. If you’re at risk for arrythmias, ask your doctor about supplementing with high-dose vitamin D.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve discussed this week in Living Well Daily…
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Dodge Heart Palpitations with POTENT A-fib Fix
Heart flutter, skipping a beat, or palpitations. Regardless of what you call it, A-fib is frightening. Slash your risk of this dangerous condition with a common nutrient.
Mailbag! What’s the RIGHT Amount of Sunshine?
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Far too many folks end up on their deathbed with misgivings. But you don’t have to leave this world with regrets. Avoid these top 7 dying regrets.
P.S. Heart hiccups, skipping beats, or arrhythmias. Regardless of what you call it, atrial fibrillation is frightening. But vitamin D isn’t the ONLY nutrient that can slash your risk. CLICK HERE to reveal another.
Source:
Study: “The effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on atrial fibrillation in generally healthy men and women –the Finnish Vitamin D Trial.” American Heart Journal, 2023; DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2023.05.024
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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