More evidence is mounting regarding the importance of vitamin D as a new study conducted at Ohio University shows vitamin D3 can restore damage to the cardiovascular system. Researchers discovered vitamin D3, which is available over the counter and is made naturally through sun exposure on the skin, can help reverse cardiovascular system damage caused by conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

As reported in the journal Nanomedicine, Dr. Tadeusz Malinski and his team of researchers used nanosensors to test the impact of vitamin D3 on endothelial cells. These cells play a big regulatory component of the cardiovascular system. The sensors are 1,000 times smaller in diameter than human hair and were useful in learning that vitamin D3 reduced the level of oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system. It also showed vitamin D3 is a powerful stimulator of nitric oxide, a molecule important to regulating blood flow and in the prevention of blood clots.

"Generally, vitamin D3 is associated with the bones," Malinski said. “However, in recent years, in clinical settings people recognize that many patients who have a heart attack will have a deficiency of D3. It doesn't mean that the deficiency caused the heart attack, but it increased the risk of heart attack. We use nanosensors to see why vitamin D3 can be beneficial, especially for the function and restoration of the cardiovascular system."

The study yielded similar results for cells from blacks and whites and also showed promise for vitamin D in reducing the risk of heart attack.

"There are not many, if any, known systems which can be used to restore cardiovascular endothelial cells which are already damaged, and vitamin D3 can do it," Malinski said. "This is a very inexpensive solution to repair the cardiovascular system. We don't have to develop a new drug. We already have it."

Click here to read more about the study from Ohio University.