Sunweavers: Supporting Native American Women's Vitamin D Research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes occur commonly among Native Americans (NA), and are leading causes of death among northern US NAs. Moreover, low vitamin D status occurs commonly in this same population. An increasing amount of evidence indicates a correlation between low vitamin D status and CVD and diabetes by contributing to a heightened pro-inflammatory environment within the endothelial lining of blood vessels leading to atherosclerotic disease, and an impaired sensitivity to insulin leading to diabetes. Our fundamental hypothesis is that low vitamin D status is a risk factor for CVD by causing a proinflammatory milieu, thereby leading to endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, the investigators hypothesize that vitamin D supplementation will reduce inflammation, thereby restoring endothelial function and ultimately reducing CVD risk.