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Study finds exercise boost vitamin D levels, reduces heart risk

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Vigorous physical activity could improve the vitamin D test scores of individuals who are at risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, significantly reducing their chances of experiencing a cardiovascular event, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health told USA Today their study revealed that exercising for as little as three hours per week significantly improved the vitamin D levels of their study participants and made them 22 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack.

The team told the news source that exercising outdoors was likely the key for many people. This has the dual benefit of improving cardiovascular fitness while exposing individuals's skin to the sun, which produces vitamin D, a nutrient that has been shown to support heart health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that heart disease causes more deaths each year than any other condition. Therefore, taking steps to improve to improve cardiovascular fitness and vitamin D levels could be important to overall well-being.