Researchers at the University of
California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that persons with lower
blood levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to die prematurely as people
with higher blood levels of vitamin D.
The finding, published in the June 12,
2014 issue of American Journal of Public Health, was based on a
systematic review of 32 previous studies that included analyses of vitamin D,
blood levels and human mortality rates. The specific variant of vitamin D
assessed was 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the primary form found in blood.
"Three years ago, the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) concluded that having a too-low blood level of vitamin D was
hazardous," said Cedric Garland, DrPH, professor in the Department of
Family and Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego and lead author of the study. "This
study supports that conclusion, but goes one step further. The 20 nanograms per
milliliter (ng/ml) blood level cutoff assumed from the IOM report was based
solely on the association of low vitamin D with risk of bone disease. This new
finding is based on the association of low vitamin D with risk of premature
death from all causes, not just bone diseases. "
Garland said the blood level amount of
vitamin D associated with about half of the death rate was 30 ng/ml. He noted
that two-thirds of the U.S. population has an estimated blood vitamin D level
below 30 ng/ml.
"This study should give the medical
community and public substantial reassurance that vitamin D is safe when used
in appropriate doses up to 4,000 International Units (IU) per day," said
Heather Hofflich, DO, professor in the UC San Diego School of Medicine's
Department of Medicine.
"However, it's always wise to
consult your physician when changing your intake of vitamin D and to have your
blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D checked annually. Daily intakes above 4,000
IU per day may be appropriate for some patients under medical
supervision."
The average age when the blood was drawn
in this study was 55 years; the average length of follow-up was nine years. The
study included residents of 14 countries, including the United States, and data
from 566,583 participants.
No comments:
Post a Comment