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    Vitamin D Deficiency Puts Blacks At Risk For Heart Disease

    (BlackDoctor.org) — A common but frequently overlooked nutrient deficiency could be putting African-Americans at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.

    According to the National Research Journal, nearly 82 percent of African-Americans face vitamin D deficiency – that’s more than twice the national average. Low vitamin D levels are associated with arterial stiffness, which is a known risk factor for both heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death among African-Americans.

    Why? For one, pigmentation reduces vitamin D production in the skin. Second, as many as three in four African-Americans are lactose intolerant, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, which may lead to reduced consumption of vitamin D-fortified dairy products.

    Unfortunately, taking extra supplements alone is not the answer, since taking more than 4,000 IU a day puts you at risk for vitamin D toxicity.

    Why is vitamin D deficiency so harmful?

    • Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and is needed for bone growth and restoration.

    •
    Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or
    misshapen. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older
    adults from osteoporosis.

    • A growing body of research suggests
    that vitamin D might play some role in the prevention and treatment of
    type 1 and 2 diabetes, hypertension and multiple sclerosis, among other
    health issues.

    • In 2000, University of North Carolina Chapel
    Hill doctors reported an increase in the reported number of rickets
    cases among breastfed babies, especially among African-Americans.

    •
    Studies suggest that more than one-third of Americans are vitamin D
    deficient. Nearly 82 percent of African-Americans face vitamin D
    deficiency.

    • Low vitamin D levels are associated with arterial
    stiffness. This is a known risk factor for both heart disease and
    stroke, two of the leading causes of death among African-Americans.

    What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

    Some of the symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency include:

    • Vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness and pain in children and adults. However, for many people, symptoms are subtle.

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    The Top Healthiest Foods…EVER [PHOTOS]
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    A bunch of spinach leaves One whole and one sliced sweet potato A bowl of broccoli A banana Oranges Apricots A bowl filled with red kidney beans A piece of cooked salmon on a plate Two pieces of raw turkey breast Half of an avocado A green plastic spoon filled with brown rice Three tomatoes in water A bowl of oatmeal with three blueberries A raw steak on a white plate A glass container of yogurt sitting on a blue-green cotton napkin beside a white spoon Pieces of dark chocolate dusted with cocoa powder A bowl of fresh eggs A bowl of vegetable soup Watermelon slices Red Bell Pepper Garlic A bowl of cherries Half of a red onion sitting on a cutting board beside a knife A spoonful of carrots Almonds A green olive sitting in a glass dish of olive oil A close-up image of fresh blueberries A spoonful of peanut butter A sliced mango splashing into water A glass mug of green tea sitting on a glass saucer A pear wrapped with a yellow tape measure Pistachios A glass of water A bowl of strawberries A skillet filled with kale A container of black beans A glass of red wine against a black background Three tuna slices A piece of catfish with potatoes Green beans on a cutting board A grilled chicken breast and asparagus on a plate A bowl of blackberries Cracked walnuts Raw wheatgrass, a glass of wheatgrass juice and a pitcher of water A wooden basket of cranberries A clear dish of flax seed oil beside a pile of flax seeds Cabbage Mushroom Pomegranate seeds
    By Lucas Johnson, BDO Staff Writer