If an individual is not getting enough vitamin D they are more likely to suffer from strokes, heart disease, and even death. The US study found that 77 percent of individuals are more likely to die early if they have low levels of Vitamin D than those with normal levels.

The study looked at 27,686 Utah patients that were age 50 and over that had no history of cardiovascular disease. They found that if you're not outside or taking supplements 45 percent of people are more likely to develop coronary artery disease and 78 percent are more likely to have a stroke. The research was done by the Intermountain Medical Center's Heart Institute in Salt Lake City.

By looking at the numbers one can see how important Vitamin D is in our lives. It keeps our hearts and bones strong. Plus it helps lower the risks of cardiovascular diseases. This breakthrough could have a significant impact on keeping our bodies healthy.

The solution is simple. By increasing Vitamin D you can lower your health risks. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. So this research will help make a dent in the number of deaths from this disease.

Vitamin D plays an important role in our bodies. It regulates our key body functions like blood pressure, as well as inflammation, and glucose which are all linked to heart disease. The deficiency of the vitamin is also closely linked to musculoskeletal disorders.

The definitive link hasn't been established yet between vitamin D and heart disease because the study was only observational. But from this study there will be random treatment trials for patients with insufficient vitamin D levels. Currently two thirds of Utahans are not getting enough of the vitamin.

Pretty soon experts will start the random treatment trials and hopefully be able to form some conclusions. Experts performed the study and will continue to work with individuals in Utah because of the high percentage of Mormons that don't drink alcohol or use tobacco. Experts believe that this will allow them to primarily focus on the study of vitamin D's effects on our cardiovascular system.

Formerly patients had been divided into three groups depending on their vitamin D levels – normal, low, or very low. Then they were followed for a year in order to determine if they developed a type of heart disease. This study is important and hopefully paving the way to a healthier and longer future that will cut down the number of Americans dying each year from heart disease.

It would also be nice to just pop some more vitamins or spend more time in the sun and know that you are increasing your levels and possibly lowering your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is a terrible disease that affects thousands of Americans each year and it would be a blessing if we could keep our loved ones around a little bit longer.

Because of the diet and lifestyle of millions of Americans ninety percent have at least one risk factor for heart disease. Almost all Americans have at least one risk factor including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, being overweight, or exercising too little.

Since the 1990s Americans have continued to pack on the pounds. As a result more people are getting heart disease and diabetes. Thousands of Americans between the ages of 25 and 74 participated in the study. The results showed that only 10 percent of Americans had low risk scores in all five categories. These results are extremely important because the No. 1 killer in the U.S. and many other countries is Heart disease.

Apparently this isn't just a problem for Americans. Obesity rates are also climbing in many other parts of the world. And this is causing diabetes, high blood pressure, and Body Mass Index (BMI) to rise in the wrong direction. Even though it seems like everyone is on a diet and trying to eat healthier there hasn't been much of a change.

However, now more than ever people are either working out, getting surgery, or going on extreme diets to shed those pounds. Despite these efforts, the waistlines don't seem to be shrinking but gradually growing.

There are so many temptations when it comes to the world of food.  Especially, since we live in such a busy world.  We are on the run 24/7 and sometimes the only thing we can get to eat is a fast food combo meal that has as many calories packed into one greasy sack as we should consume all day. Plus there are always those little snacks and soda drinks that sneak past our lips.

It really is true "what you eat in private shows in public." What makes this even more difficult is that it's so easy and cheap to buy the fattening food that tastes good but it's expensive and time consuming to cook your own meals, although this drastically cuts down on your daily fat consumption.  Here are 5 other simple ways to cut down, trim your waistline, and stay healthy.

1. Drink Water
Drink at least 64 ounces of water.  Water helps clean out your system, keeps your body hydrated, and also helps you control you're eating.

2. Eat Fat Burning Foods
When you're snacking eat healthy foods. Try fat burning foods like almonds, grapefruits, oranges, and berries.  Plus vegetables are generally pretty filling, have very little fat, and put you on the pathway to healthy eating.

3. Take Extra Steps
Exercise when you can. You don't have to spend hours at the gym.  Try parking further away from the building, walking to get lunch, or even exercising on your lunchtime break.  Any extra steps you take will end up saving you calories.

4. Write Down What You Eat
By recording what you eat, you are going to eat less. It is a proven fact that if you write down all the stuff you eat, you will eat less. Because when you see what you have consumed in writing, it's easy to add up the calories and make some changes.

5. Cut out the Soda
I myself am a huge sodaholic but if you can make some minor adjustments you are bound to see results. Just by changing to a diet version of Pepsi, Cola, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper or others will cut out a lot of calories.  Also if you cut out soda all together, you can lose 15 pounds.  It may be hard, but you will see results.

Ninety percent of Americans have at least one factor leading to heart disease. Even though the statistics aren't good there are steps that Americans can take to become healthier. These 5 tips can help you shed weight and lower your risk factors for heart disease.