Older Adults’ Beliefs, Knowledge and Preferences for Achieving Healthy Vitamin D Status: A Narrative Review
Geriatrics (Basel). 2018 Jun; 3(2): 26., doi: 10.3390/geriatrics3020026
Tatiana Christides
- Vitamin D for adults and elderly – review Oct 2018
- Shin pain in elderly men 36 X more likely if low vitamin D – March 2017
- Half of Women Over 50 Desperately Need This Potent Nutrient (Vitamin D) – April 2018
- 4,000 IU of Vitamin D is OK - 19 organizations agree - 2018
10 reasons why seniors need more vitamin D has the following
- Senior skin produces 3X less Vitamin D for the same sun intensity
- Seniors have fewer vitamin D receptors as they age
(The effect of low Vitamin D receptor genes does not show up on vitamin D test results) - Seniors are indoors more than when when they were younger
not as agile, weaker muscles; frail, no longer enjoy hot temperatures
(if outside, stay in the shade), however, seniors might start outdoor activities like gardening, biking, etc. - Seniors wear more clothing outdoors than when younger
fear skin cancer/wrinkles, sometimes avoid bright light after cataract surgery - Seniors often take various drugs which reduce vitamin D (some would not show up on vitamin D test) statins, chemotherapy, anti-depressants, blood pressure, beta-blockers, etc
- Seniors often have one or more diseases which consume vitamin D ( osteoporosis, diabetes, MS, ...)
- Seniors generally put on weight at they age - and a heavier body requires more vitamin D
- Seniors often (40%) have fatty livers – which do not process vitamin D as well
- Seniors not have as much Magnesium needed to use vitamin D
(would not show up on vitamin D test) - Seniors with poorly functioning kidneys do not process vitamin D as well
(would not show up on vitamin D test) 2009 full text online Also PDF 2009 - Vitamin D is not as bioavailable in senior digestive systems (Stomach acid or intestines?)
- Category Seniors and Vitamin D
331 items Studies in Senior plus some other categories in VitaminDWiki
Items in both categories Senior and Vitamin K are listed here:
- Mobility limitation 20 percent more likely if low Vitamin K1 – May 2019
- Many seniors do not get enough protein, Vitamin D, Mg, etc. needed for bones – Feb 2019
- Less DNA repair if nutrient deficient (Vitamin D, Magnesium, Omega-3, Vitamin K, etc) – Ames Oct 2018
- Seniors having minimal Vitamin D and Vitamin K walked faster – Oct 2017
- More vitamin K2 needed by seniors – Jan 2014
- Vitamin K-2 (180 ug MK-7) helped both bone density and strength – RCT March 2013
- Increased growth factors with vitamin D and Vitamin K2 – May 2012
Items in both categories Senior and Omega-3 are listed here:
- Muscle loss (sarcopenia) may be both prevented and treated by Omega-3 – Feb 2019
- Healthy aging associated with higher levels of both Vitamin D and Omega-3 – Dec 2018
- Less DNA repair if nutrient deficient (Vitamin D, Magnesium, Omega-3, Vitamin K, etc) – Ames Oct 2018
- Omega-3 etc improved both cognition and mobility of older women – Aug 2015
- Vitamin D Omega 3 and Exercise are being used in controlled trial to support healthy ageing – Feb 2012
Items in both categories Seniors and Vitamin D Receptor are listed here:
- Reduced muscle function in mice lacking Vitamin D Receptors in muscles – June 2019
- Vitamin D and Ageing (29 page chapter, VDR decreases with age) – Feb 2019
- Less vitamin D gets to cells as you age - fewer Vitamin D Receptors - 2004
- Aging leads to a decrease of vitamin D getting to cells – Sept 2017
- Sepsis is 13 X more likely if poor Vitamin D Receptor – April 2017
- Centenarians have good Vitamin D Receptor genes (or take lots of vitamin D) – March 2016
- 10 reasons why seniors need more vitamin D
Other important items for Seniors
- Elderly skin produces about 3X less vitamin D from the sun/UV
- Elderly get about 3X less vitamin D from the stomach
- Vitamin D Receptor, which can restrict vitamin D from getting to cells, gets worse with age
- One-a-day vitamins rarely have enough vitamin D to provide any benefit at all
- Need only take 2 capsules per month - rarely need to worry about forgetting
- Several studies have found that infrequent dosing is better than daily for seniors
- Typically need more Vitamin D if in poor health
- UV lamps are low cost and a good source of Vitamin D (especially if not outdoors much
- Can fortify food with Vitamin D at home
Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
The following are just the right columns of Table 1Autonomy and mobility are, in many cases, key elements underlying positive ageing. Vitamin D (vitD) is essential to maintaining musculoskeletal health and hence mobility; ensuring adequate vitD status is important in positive ageing. However, vitD deficiency persists in ~10–30% of older adults in the Western world. The aim of this review was to explore older adult vitD beliefs, knowledge and preferences, in order to identify means to prevent vitD deficiency respectful of older peoples’ autonomy. Academic search-engines were used to explore the research literature with the keywords: vitamin D; older adults; preferences; knowledge; practices; beliefs. 22 recent studies were identified; although the majority of older people knew of vitD, knowledge about increased fall risk secondary to deficiency was limited and knowledge did not always correlate with adequate intake or status.
There was evidence of confusion regarding vitD food sources, sun-exposure and health benefits, and although General Practitioners were trusted information sources they often did not discuss vitD with patients.
Preferences varied significantly depending on geographic location, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education and cultural factors; overall, older people wanted more clear information about vitD.
In conclusion, older people have a relatively high awareness of vitD, however, knowledge may be inaccurate and low in those most at risk, and knowledge of deficiency-associated fall risk is under-recognised. Furthermore, studies specifically addressing older adult preferences are lacking; an understanding of preferences, integrated into public health guidelines and implementation strategies, is key not only to decreasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency but also to enabling autonomy in older adults.Older adults need to know more about Vitamin D – June 2018
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