According to a recent study, a deficiency of vitamin D in the body is not only dangerous for bone health but also for the heart.
In a first, researchers at the UniSA's Australian Center for Precision Health have identified the genetic evidence behind vitamin D deficiency in heart disease.
SEE MORE How to check if your body is running low on vitamin D
Published in the European Heart Journal, the study discovered that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk of suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure than people with normal levels of vitamin D. The study analysed data from 267,980 people, allowing the team to find an association between vitamin D deficiency and CVD.
According to researchers, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing an estimated 179 million people every year.
Sunlight is the biggest source of vitamin D and 95 per cent of the required amount for the body can be met through sun exposure. Other great sources of the sunshine vitamin include eggs, fish and mushrooms.