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Lee Swanson Research Update

Too Little Vitamin D Could Boost Risk for Disability in the Elderly

May 2007

A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine shows that a lack of vitamin D may encourage disability in older adults. The study was published in The Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences.

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health and muscle function. Also, vitamin D may help protect against diabetes, cancer, colds and tuberculosis. The vitamin can be obtained from food or supplementation and is produced naturally in the body through exposure to sun.

About 25% of people over age 60 have low levels of vitamin D. Older adults are prone to low vitamin D levels, because they tend to get less exposure to sunlight and their skin is less efficient in producing vitamin D from sun exposure. Older adults also may not get enough vitamin D from dietary sources such as fortified milk, juice and cereals.

In the study, researchers analyzed data from a study of 976 Italians age 65 and older and found that those with low levels of vitamin D scored five percent to 10% lower in tests of physical performance and grip strength. While the researchers didn't look at whether low vitamin D levels actually cause poor physical performance, they said the findings suggest the need for additional research in this area.

Current recommendations say that people ages 50 to 69 should get 400 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D per day, and people over age 70 should get 600 IUs per day. However, many experts believe that may not be enough.

"Higher amounts of vitamin D may be needed for the preservation of muscle strength and physical function as well as other conditions such as cancer prevention," according to the study's lead author, Denise Houston. "The current recommendations are based primarily on vitamin D's effects on bone health."

The Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences 62:440-446, 2007

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