Studies of the role of vitamin D in human physiology indicate that vitamin D is involved in bone formation, the growth and development of immune cells, and stimulation or inhibition of blood vessels in cancer. Those who have lower levels of vitamin D are found to have higher death rates from heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and several kinds of cancer. Low vitamin D levels also adversely affect, multiple sclerosis, allergies, asthma, infections, and depression.
These findings have led to the widespread practice of recommending that those with low vitamin D blood levels take vitamin D dietary supplements. A careful analysis of more than 50 studies that included more than 30,000 people has shown that supplementation with vitamin D does not reduce a person’s risk of dying from any cause. There is no reduction in heart disease mortality with vitamin D supplementation. These findings from multiple studies strongly suggest that low vitamin D levels are a RESULT of various disease states rather than the CAUSE of disease.
Our understanding of vitamin D was further clarified by the Leiden Longevity Study conducted in the Netherlands. This study looked at genetic markers and other factors that predict a long life. In the core of the study were 421 families where at least two siblings were 90 years of age or older. The long lived siblings and their children were tested for various genetic markers in the hope of identifying possible contributors to long life. The final analysis included data from 1038 children of very old people and 461 controls.
Humans have a gene named CYP2R1. A common genetic variant of this gene predisposes people to high vitamin D levels. In this study it was found that the offspring of a parent who lived to 90 years or more were LESS likely to have this genetic variation. As a result, the children of a parent who lived to 90 years of age or more had significantly lower blood levels of vitamin D.
This surprising finding was that the LOWER your vitamin D level, the longer you live. The children of a nonagenarian parent had less heart disease and were less likely to die than the controls that had normal vitamin D levels. LOW levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased likelihood of reaching a very old age.
The Bible gives you a more certain recommendation for a longer life than you would ever get from supplementing your diet with vitamin D. “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life, and peace they will add to you." Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV)