Diabetes, hyperglycemia, depression, poor balance, etc. all associated with low vitamin D in seniors – March 2014

Associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and multiple health conditions, physical performance measures, disability, and all-cause mortality:

the Concord Health and J Am Geriatr Soc. 2014 Mar;62(3):417-25. doi: 10.1111/jgs.12693. Epub 2014 Feb 27.
Ageing in Men Project.
Hirani V1, Cumming RG, Naganathan V, Blyth F, Le Couteur DG, Handelsman DJ, Waite LM, Seibel MJ.
1Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and a wide range of health conditions, physical performance measures, disability, and mortality in a large epidemiological study to identify an optimum range for 25(OH)D concentrations.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, with additional prospective data on falls and mortality.

SETTING: Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project, Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling men aged 70 and older (N = 1,659).

MEASUREMENTS: Serum 25(OH)D levels, general health status, self-reported diseases, physical performance measures, disability (activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living) and falls.

RESULTS: Fair, poor, and very poor health; self-reported diabetes mellitus; hyperglycemia; depression; muscle weakness; poor balance; and all-cause mortality were all associated with serum 25(OH)D levels less than 50 nmol/L, even after adjustment for confounding.
The findings also suggest that, in older men, for a wide range of health conditions, physical performance measures, disability, falls, and mortality, the optimum range of 25(OH)D is between 50.0 and 74.9 nmol/L, with no additional benefit for 25(OH)D levels of 75.0 nmol/L or greater.

CONCLUSION: Programs aimed at achieving an optimum range of serum 25(OH)D at levels between 50.0 and 74.9 nmol/L may have overall health benefits and such levels are adequate for older men.

PMID: 24576190


See also VitaminDWiki

13 reasons why many seniors need more vitamin D (both dose and level) - July 2023 has the following

  1. Senior skin produces 4X less Vitamin D for the same sun intensity
  2. Seniors have fewer vitamin D receptor genes as they age
    Receptors are needed to get Vitamin D in blood actually into the cells
  3. Many other Vitamin D genes decrease with age
  4. Since many gene activations are not detected by a blood test,
    more Vitamin D is often needed, especially by seniors
  5. Seniors are indoors more than when they were younger
    not as agile, weaker muscles; frail, no longer enjoy hot temperatures
  6. Seniors wear more clothing outdoors than when younger
    Seniors also are told to fear skin cancer & wrinkles
  7. Seniors often take various drugs which end up reducing vitamin D
    Some reductions are not detected by a vitamin D test of the blood
    statins, chemotherapy, anti-depressants, blood pressure, beta-blockers, etc
  8. Seniors often have one or more diseases that consume vitamin D
    osteoporosis, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, ...
  9. Seniors generally put on weight as they age - and a heavier body requires more vitamin D
  10. Seniors often (40%) have fatty livers – which do not process vitamin D as well
  11. Reduced stomach acid means less Magnesium is available to get vitamin D into the cells
  12. Vitamin D is not as bioavailable in senior intestines
  13. Seniors with poorly functioning kidneys do not process vitamin D as well
       Seniors category has 427 items
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