According to a new study, younger white women with vitamin D deficiencies are about three times more likely to have high blood pressure in middle age than those with normal vitamin levels. Researchers observed participants over 15 years and found those with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to have high blood pressure later in life.
 
The human body can make vitamin D from sunlight, and it is also found in fatty fish, fortified milk products and dietary supplements. Almost half the population worldwide has lower-than-optimal levels of vitamin D, which researchers say is due to people spending more time indoors. Deficiencies are linked to cancer, immune system problems and inflammatory diseases.

This article originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.