Simple fact: calcium plus vitamin D equals a healthy heart

There’s been so much written about cholesterol and nutrition… and what you should do and what you should never do… well, how are you supposed to know what to do?

To help women out, here’s a fact:

If you don’t get enough calcium, it makes you fat and gives you high “bad” cholesterol.

Scientists at the University of Tennessee discovered that low calcium consumption flips a switch in fat cells, and changes them from cells that break down cholesterol and triglycerides into cells that produce more heart-harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

And recent research as part of a project called the Women’s Health Initiative, shows that postmenopausal women taking vitamin D and calcium have more of the desirable HDL cholesterol and less of the undesirable LDL cholesterol. The women in the study took 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D3.

Your HDL (good) cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels reflect how well your heart health is holding up. And supplement takers enjoyed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels that were about 5 points lower than women who didn’t take the vitamin and mineral. The scientists also found that the women taking vitamin D3 (who had higher levels of vitamin D in their blood) had more beneficial HDL and fewer triglycerides (blood fats that are often associated with heart problems).

“The results of this study should inspire even more women to be conscientious about their calcium and vitamin D intake – a simple and safe way to improve health. One action can lead to multiple benefits!” says Margery Gass, M.D., executive director of The North American Menopause Society.