Lee Swanson Research Update

Doubling Vitamin D Levels May Reduce Mortality Rate

August 2011

Increasing serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the "most cost-effective way to reduce global mortality rates," according to a new study.

In a paper assessing the likely impact on mortality rates of doubling serum vitamin D levels from 54 to 110 nmol/L in six regions of the world, Dr. William B. Grant estimates it would increase life expectancy by two years across all six regions.

"The predicted reduction in all-cause mortality rates ranges from 7.6 percent for African females to 17.3% for European females," claimed Grant, who is a director at the San Francisco-based Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center and the author of several papers on vitamin D.

His latest study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concludes: "Increasing serum 25(OH)D levels is the most cost-effective way to reduce global mortality rates, as the cost of vitamin D is very low and there are few adverse effects from oral intake or frequent moderate UVB irradiance with sufficient body surface area exposed."

While many policymakers might argue that the only reliable means of determining whether vitamin D reduced the risk of disease was via randomized controlled trials (RCTs), this was not the case, insisted Grant.

"I believe that this restriction is unnecessary and is generally used to delay acceptance of more favorable policies for vitamin D and UV irradiance. Vitamin D is not a drug, for which RCTs would be required, but is instead a natural compound essential for optimal health.

"Analysis of findings from traditional epidemiological approaches should supply enough information for informed decision making."

In order to increase vitamin D intakes, policymakers would first have to agree that society would benefit from higher levels, observed Grant.

Meanwhile, last year’s controversial report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which said evidence linking vitamin D with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders was "inconsistent and inconclusive," was also flawed, he claimed.

"Unfortunately, federal sponsors directed the committee not to consider studies where vitamin D came from non-oral sources such as solar UVB irradiance and case control studies that measured serum 25(OH)D levels at the time of disease diagnosis. These two types of studies provide much of the stronger evidence for several diseases."

While our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that our body makes no vitamin D at all, meaning that dietary supplements and fortified foods are seen by many as the best way to boost intakes of vitamin D.

Vitamin D-sensitive diseases that account for more than half of global mortality rates include cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus, according to Grant.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Published online ahead of print.

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