Vitamin D may play a vital role in the prevention and treatment
of diseases associated with aging, according to researchers at Loyola
University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON). These findings
were published in the latest issue of the Journal of Aging and Gerontology.
Researchers reviewed evidence that suggests an association
between vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases associated with aging such as
cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, high blood
pressure, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.
"Vitamin D deficiency is a common, serious medical
condition that significantly affects the health and well-being of older
adults," said Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, study author and full professor,
MNSON.
Older adults are at risk for vitamin D deficiency due to diet,
reduced time outdoors and poor skin absorption of the nutrient. With the number
of people ages 65 and older expected to more than double from 2012 to 2060, the
problem will become much more prevalent.
"Better understanding the relationship between vitamin D
and chronic diseases in older adults and whether treatment of vitamin D
deficiency can prevent or treat these disorders is important given the
increasing number of people at risk for these health issues," said Meghan
Meehan, FNP-BC '13, study author, MNSON.
The Institute of Medicine generally recommends that adults up to
70 years of age take 600 IU of vitamin D daily and adults over the age of 70
consume 800 IU of the nutrient daily.
Study authors concluded that as the older population continues
to grow, universal guidelines for testing and treating vitamin D deficiency are
needed. Research to examine the proper dosing of vitamin D supplements
necessary to prevent the chronic diseases of aging also would have significant
benefit for future generations.
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