Vitamin-D deficiency linked to fatal stroke in whites but not blacks

[Elmore Furth]

I take 1000 IU vitamin D every day. Here is more evidence supporting it.

Although blacks had higher rates of both fatal stroke and vitamin-D deficiency, racial differences did not explain the excess risk in blacks compared with whites, said lead author Dr Erin Michos (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD).

In whites, vitamin-D deficiency was associated with a twofold increase in fatal stroke after adjustment for other risk factors.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), funded by the National Institutes of Health and run by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, is currently investigating whether 2000-IU daily vitamin D or fish oil containing about 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids reduces incident cancer, heart disease, or stroke. Investigators plan to enroll 25% black subjects in that trial.

"We certainly await those results before we can strongly endorse widespread screening and treatment programs for vitamin-D deficiency," Michos concluded. "But while we're waiting for the clinical-trial data, I think there are compelling enough data that I do recommend screening for vitamin-D deficiency. It's very common, and doses of 1000 to 2000 IU a day appear safe with little downside, and we know it has good benefit for the bone."


Vitamin-D deficiency linked to fatal stroke in whites but not blacks

[aquart]

1. "racial differences did not explain the excess risk in blacks compared with whites, said lead author

Am I reading that line wrong or is white and black reversed?

[supernova]

2. I think you're right

It seems to be reversed.

The biggest risk, scientifically speaking is is whites, rather than blacks. And the science is still out on why this is so according to the article.

The sentence should read:

"racial differences did not explain the excess risk in whites compared with blacks.