Vitamin D may boost eyesight and heart health, research suggests

Vitamin D could boost eyesight and heart health, research using mice has suggestedVitamin D could boost eyesight and heart health, research using mice has suggested

By Lachlan Mackinnon

Vitamin D could boost eyesight and heart health, research using mice has suggested. Middle-aged mice given the vitamin for six weeks saw reduced levels of amyloid beta, a toxic protein linked to ­Alzheimer’s disease, in the animals’ eyes and blood vessels which gave them better vision.

Lead scientist Professor Glen Jeffery, from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London, said: “Government agencies should start paying a little bit of ­attention to this. Vitamin D supplements could save money and improve public health.

“Finding amyloid deposits were reduced suggests vitamin D could be useful in preventing a range of age-related health problems, from ­deteriorating vision to heart disease. We need to run full clinical trials in humans before we can say confidently older people should start taking vitamin D supplements.”

Clara Eaglen, from the RNIB charity, said: “AMD is a common cause of sight loss. Further research is needed to fully understand how vitamin D affects the eye.” Previous research in the US has linked a lack of vitamin D with diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.

Exposure to the sun sparks the production of the vitamin in the body. It can also be found in fatty fish, such as sardines and salmon, eggs, and supplements.

Source: Daily Mirror