Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of Death in Adults

Author: willllamas

There’s new evidence showing that adults over 60 with low vitamin D levels have a greater risk of serious illness and death than those with higher levels. The study also showed the same number doubles with regards to adults as they age, especially in the are “frail” (unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, slow walking, low fitness levels and exhaustion).

The study, conducted at Oregon State University by nutritional epidemiologist Dr. Ellen Smith, looked at a nationally representative group of adults over 60 years old. The results showed that these adults with low vitamin D levels had a 30% greater risk of death than people who had higher levels. When looking at adults considered frail, the risk of death doubled from there.

“What this really means is that it is important to assess vitamin D levels in older adults, and especially among people who are frail,” said lead author Ellen Smith of Oregon State University. “Older adults need to be screened for vitamin D.”

As adults age many lack vitamin D for two reasons: decrease in milk consumption and a shortage of sun. Because milk is one of the primary sources of vitamin D for most people, when adults limit their consumptions, their vitamin D levels decrease. The same is true about the sun. The risk of melanoma (skin cancer) increases with age so many older adults try to get as little sun as possible. While limiting skin cancer risk, they are in turn shorting themselves on the necessary vitamin D. There is a happy medium between the two by getting ample but limited sunlight.

The additional benefits of vitamin D are extensive. Vitamin D’s main purpose is to keep bones strong, which is a major reason to maintain healthy levels of it as we age. It is calcium’s partner in crime by allowing maximum absorption during consumption.

According to Dr. Irwin Rosenberg of Tufts University, “adults between 50 and 70 should be getting 400 IU (international units, the measurement usually used on vitamin D labels) of D per day. Once you’re over 70, the recommendation goes up to 600 IU daily.” This is why for many adults, supplementation of vitamin D is recommended.