Vitamin D and Cholesterol Levels

Just like hypertension and high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol levels can significantly increase one’s risk of developing fatal medical conditions. Fortunately, sun exposure and a high vitamin D diet can be a cost-effective way to bring down cholesterol levels within normal range. In fact, several lines of evidence support the cholesterol-lowering effect of vitamin D:
1. Low levels of vitamin D are strongly linked with abnormal cholesterol levels. [662-671]
2. In professional rowers, vitamin D supplementation at a dose of 5,000 IU per day lowers blood cholesterol levels. [672]
3. In school-aged patients, vitamin D supplementation increases the level of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). [673]
4. In postmenopausal women, vitamin D supplementation significantly decreases the level of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol). [674]
5. In statin-treated patients, vitamin D supplementation lowers cholesterol levels by improving its absorption. [675]
6. In overweight patients, vitamin D supplementation significantly decreases LDL cholesterol. [676]
7. In vitamin D-deficient men, increasing vitamin D concentrations through sunlight exposure significantly reduces triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. [677]
8. Vitamin D receptors help increase cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, which in turn improves cholesterol metabolism. [678]
9. In type 2 diabetic patients, administration of 2,000 IU daily of vitamin D3 for 18 months is associated with a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. [679]
10. Vitamin D lowers cholesterol levels by improving the production of apolipoprotein A1. [680-681]