Vitamin D and prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: why the evidence falls short.

摘要

VITAMIN D HAS RECEIVED WIDESPREAD ATTENTION FOR its potential role in preventing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several epide-miological studies have suggested that individuals with low blood levels of vitamin D have increased risks of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. Yet the evidence that vitamin D prevents cardiometabolic outcomes played an inconsequential role in determining the population needs for vitamin D in the 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). How is it possible that such a large body of evidence had so little influence on the recommended intakes for vitamin D? This commentary, authored by 2 members of the IOM Committee, provides a critical appraisal of the relevant evidence, explains why the research was found to be insufficient by the IOM, and identifies future research needs on this topic.