Lack of D Vitamin Increases Heart Disease

Most American youngsters aren't getting enough vitamin D, and that deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of risk factors for cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke, two new studies find ,U.S. News & World Report reports.

Meanwhile, between 50 percent and 75 percent of Americans get suboptimal levels of vitamin D according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Now a committee at the Institute of Medicine is meeting to determine whether the recommended daily intake of vitamin D should be increased. ABC medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard came on "Good Morning America" today to offer five ways vitamin D can aid your health and tell you how to get more of it , ABC News reports.

However, researchers say this is a concern because not enough of the vitamin can increase the rise for bone breaks and heart disease.

Researchers say some things that can help include taking supplements, drinking milk, eating fish, and getting out in the sunshine for about 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week , WXIA-TV reports.