The Checkup: Study Finds No Link Between Heart Health and Vitamin D

• Listen up, vitamin D-takers: A new study found no evidence that vitamin D protects against heart disease, a benefit previously associated with the compound. The latest study enlisted 305 postmenopausal women as subjects, who were randomly assigned either placebos or doses of vitamin D. According to the New York Times, “The study … found no significant differences between the placebo and treatment groups in blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides or C-reactive protein, all known risks for heart disease.” And there’s more: Researchers also found no differences between the groups’ blood pressure and insulin resistance. In fact, one of the study’s lead authors told the Times, “The study actually shows that vitamin D does not protect you against heart disease.” That seems … pretty unequivocal. Read more here.

• Boy am I happy I never got hooked on energy drinks. The FDA said Monday that it’s investigating five (!) deaths that may be associated with Monster energy drink, the top selling energy drink in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the company’s shares plummeted as a result of the announcement, Reuters reports.

• In other unsurprising news, a new study, which looked at contestants from the reality TV show, The Biggest Loser, found that a regimen of healthy eating and exercise is better than diet alone in reducing body fat and maintaining muscle mass. You don’t say!