Benefits of vitamin D which is great for health, including preventing cancer. In a recent study revealed the benefits of this vitamin in protecting the lungs, especially for those who smoke.
The importance of vitamin D for smoker has been submitted to the study, Nancy E. Lange, MD, MPH, of the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital studied 626 Caucasian men over a period of 20 years. The study assessed three time periods are completely different between 1984 and 2003. Pulmonary function of each participant was measured using a spirometer.
The results showed that participants who had no vitamin D, the average forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 12ml lower than those who get enough vitamin D gets (decreased only 6.5 ml).
Forced expiratory in one second or so-called FEV1 is the volume of air can be expelled from the lungs at the first second of maximal terinflasi maximum exhalation.
"Our results indicate that vitamin D may modify the damaging effects of smoking on lung function. This effect might be due to vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants," said Lange.
This study has several limitations, including the observational information. Vitamin D levels are also likely to vary from time to time. Another limitation of this study involved only older men.
"If these findings can be replicated in other studies, will provide many benefits to public health," he said. Therefore, in the near future he plans to examine the benefits of vitamin D is there for the lung to the dangers of air pollution.
Alexander C. White MS, MD, chairman of the committee of the American Thoracic Society Tobacco Action, said, or not enough vitamin D levels in a person, should not overshadow the health risks and dangers associated with smoking. Those who smoke should be aware of the consequences of health problems that may be obtained.
The study is published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
