Taking vitamin pill a day lower risk of dying early

According to new study taking a vitamin pill a day might extend your life.

Photo: Taking vitamin pill a day lower risk of dying early

The findings, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, add to the growing medical literature about the benefits of what is sometimes called the "sunshine vitamin" because it is produced by the skin in response to sunlight. Recent studies have linked vitamin D deficiencies to higher risk of cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. It could play a role in reducing heart disease and preventing pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.

"It's very new to see [the effects of] vitamin D on organs different than the bones," said Dr. Philippe Autier, a co-author of the study. "These are very ordinary doses. You don't need four or five pills a day. ...

"You should probably get rid of all the other" vitamins in the medicine cabinet, Autier said by phone from Lyon , France , where he is a researcher at the International Agency for Research on Cancer. "At this point, that's where we are. This is quite real", reports Baltimore Sun.

The review study of 18 previous studies found those who had high levels of vitamin D in their blood or took vitamin D supplements were 7 percent less likely to die from any cause compared to those who did not take supplements over an average six years of follow-up.

Early studies already showed deficiencies in vitamin D might be associated with a higher risk of death from caner, heart disease and diabetes-illnesses, which overall are responsible for 60 to 70 percent of deaths in developed countries.

Because of this, Philippe Autier, M.D., of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon , France , and Sara Gandini, Ph.D., of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan , Italy hypothesized that high vitamin D levels or taking vitamin D supplements should reduce the overall death risk, reports Food Consumer.

Source: Agencies