Older Adults & Vitamin D Deficiency

A great number of older adults are deficient in vitamin D. New research indicates that the amount of vitamin D necessary to maintain strong, healthy bones in the older-adult population may be greater than originally estimated, and new guidelines are being developed to match these findings.

Function

• Vitamin D plays a critical role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, vitamin D also assists the body in calcium absorption, helps maintain organ systems and is needed for bone growth.

Sources

• The primary source of vitamin D is direct exposure to sunlight. Most adults only require 10 to 15 minutes of exposure each day in order to reap the positive benefits. Increasingly, people work indoors and do not spend enough time outside for their skin to manufacture vitamin D; they therefore become deficient.

  Food-based sources of vitamin D can be found in oily fish such as sardines and salmon. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin D.

Risk Factors

• Some populations are more at risk than others. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, "Dietary or supplemental vitamin D increases in importance during the winter months for populations in northern latitudes, and for elderly people who do not go outdoors much and in whom the capacity for skin synthesis of vitamin D is reduced." Increased supplementation may also be needed for people with osteoporosis or those who are obese.

  Notes Tufts University's Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes, "This high prevalence of suboptimal levels raises the possibility that many falls and fractures can be prevented with vitamin D supplementation. This is a relatively easy public health measure that could have significant positive effects on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures."

Treatment

• A simple vitamin-D blood test can determine whether or not you are deficient. Treatment typically involves vitamin-D supplementation in the form of dietary supplements. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, older adults may require double the amount of vitamin D that was previously recommended in order to prevent bone injuries and fractures, or at least 800-1,000 IU per day.

Prevention

• Optimal vitamin D levels can prevent fractures and injuries due to falls in the elderly. Conversely, suboptimal levels can lead to osteoporosis and possibly hip fractures.