Vitamin D and heart function

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45325473/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

I have been telling patients for quite some time that optimal health is about balance...period. This article is absolutely correct in regards to too much vitamin D causing heart issues. However, I am going to expand on it a little and add that it is more about not enough other nutrients to balance it out. Calcium is a major nutrient used with muscle firing; skeletal muscle and heart muscle. Vitamin D pulls calcium from the food (and gut) into the blood stream. Fats (vitamin F), like flax seed oil, take calcium from the blood and put it into the cells and tissue (skin, muscle...). The first sign of low F is itchy skin and low F can also affect specific heart sounds. Other nutrients that affect calcium metabolism are magnesium, which most people are aware of, and iodine. I have written quite a bit on iodine and its use with the endocrine system, especially with thyroid function. Iodine allows the calcium to be pulled between D and F more easily.

Because of D's effect on pulling calcium into the blood stream, this can also cause it to saturate into the arterial wall. This can lead to sclerosis (hardening) of the arteries. This sclerosis effect is also known as "oxidative stress". Imagine and old bicycle tire that has been sitting for years in a garage. Eventually "dry rot" sets in and the tire will no longer hold air efficiently. When this happens inside the artery, it can break easily (aneurysm). In order to prevent this cracking and breaking, the body lays down a covering; much like spackle on a cracked wall. This covering is cholesterol. The cholesterol that is "stuck" to our arterial wall is preventing it from breaking easily. Eventually the cholesterol builds up too much and then a heart attack ensues. I would argue that the cholesterol build-up is preventing the heart attack from happening sooner.

Let us not forget about other fat soluble vitamins like A, E and K. Remember that word "balance"? Well, these vitamins are no different. They all must be balanced within each other and can "compete" for absorption in the liver.

It is very important the take the right kind of vitamins, not just the cheapest. What most of us do not understand is, taking cheap vitamins is much like putting 87 octane in a top fuel dragster. This simply will not work. It is going to cause more trouble than it's worth. Invest in your health and see someone that is aware of the intricate interactions of all these nutrients so that you can get the most out of your money and effort.