According to a study, having a sufficient amount of vitamin D not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases but also stroke. The study was done by a Hyderabad-based doctor on 250 ischemic stroke patients and 250 people with normal health (did not have any illness).
The study shows that vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for stroke similar to hypertension, smoking, alcoholism and obesity. 49% of the stroke patients examined had a deficiency of vitamin D while 31% among those with normal health had the deficiency. This is for the first time in India that vitamin D deficiency has been found to be a risk factor.
The findings are important because vitamin D deficiency has become common in the society. This is because of low intake of animal food, less exposure to sunshine and using toned milk instead of full fat milk.
Sources of vitamin D other than sunshine are egg yolk, green leafy vegetables and custard apples.
Vitamin D deficiency also results in an increased loss of bone material, reduced bone mineralisation and hip fracture.
Stroke patients should undergo checkups for vitamin D levels and if they have a deficiency, necessary measures should be taken for betterment.
Source – Times of India