According to a recent study, by Oregon State University’s Dr. Ellen Smith (http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2012/jul/lower-vitamin-d-could-increase-risk-dying-especially-frail-older-adults), nutritional epidemiologist, statistics now point to increased risk of death in 30% of adults over 60 with low vitamin D.
The more concerning news is this statistic is growing, rapidly, amongst adults as they age and especially those adults considered “frail” (unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, slow walking, low fitness levels and exhaustion), doubling that statistic to an even higher number. Even having at least one to two of these symptoms can put those individuals into the “pre-frail” category, thus being even more of a reason to be aware of the overall effect of low vitamin D’s impact on their overall wellness as they age.
Most older adults lack significant amounts of vitamin D in their diet due to two primary reasons: Milk and exposure to the sun. Many adults reduce their milk consumption as they grow older, not realizing that it is a primary source of vitamin D in their diet during their younger years. Most aging adults avoid too much contact with the sun for fear of melanoma (skin cancer) and the effects of aging on their skin. While over exposure can put anyone at greater risk for melanoma (skin cancer), limited amounts of exposure to the sun will help synthesize vitamin D and can prove to be beneficial to overall health.
“Vitamin D itself is biologically inactive, and it must be metabolized to its biologically active forms. After it is consumed in the diet or synthesized in the epidermis of skin, vitamin D enters the circulation and is transported to the liver. In the liver, vitamin D is hydroxylated to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol; 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the major circulating form of vitamin D.” (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/index.html)
The benefit of vitamin D impacts strength and bones, thus being an even greater reason why we must maintain healthy levels of “D” as we age.
“If you have both, it may not really matter which came first because you are worse off and at greater risk of dying than other older people who are frail and who don’t have low vitamin D.” (Dr. Smit)
The study comprised four groups: Less than 50 nanomole per liter to those with 84 or higher. Those who fell into the lower vitamin D levels were likely to be frail, thus underscoring the relationship between the two (frailty and low vitamin D levels). Combing regular exercise (walking, jogging, etc) with sun exposure provides two needed benefits, the body naturally requires to stay balanced and healthy.
Vitamin D screening
Low levels of vitamin D can go unnoticed without proper screening/assessment tests. According to Dr. Smit, the benefit of assessing can help balance the scale in favor of the patient and perhaps outweigh their future health problems if caught in time:
“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 Smit of Oregon State University.”
According to the study, early intervention, through proper nutrition and exercise, with those who fall into the “pre-frail group” could help increase the quality of their life, helping them to live more independently as they age.
Those adults living in cooler northern climates have an even greater risk due to the lack of exposure to the sun during longer winter months. Current estimates have 70% of Americans suffering from low vitamin D levels. The current Federal guideline for vitamin D is 600 IU for adults and 800 IU for those over 70.
However, OSU’s Linus Pauling Institute recommends adults take 2,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily. Milk and fish are two easily accessible choices for obtaining naturally Vitamin D. If your diet does not deliver naturally enough vitamin D, supplements are a healthy alternative but should not be used as a substitute for nutrition. Combining the three (nutrition, exposure to the sun and supplements) can create a health combination for your overall wellness.
Quick Tips for Wellness: Increase your vitamin D naturally through your daily diet and exercise.
Quick Tips for Wellness ™ Copyright © 2012, All Rights Reserved
Follow me on Facebook Quick Tips for Wellness and Twitter @wellnesstips4u
No comments:
Post a Comment