Polypharmacy in the Elderly Dr. Dean
- “Shockingly, patients on 5+ drugs per day grew from 12% (1991-1994) to 49% (2008-2011). Did you get that? An increase from 12% to 49%. It seems unbelievable until you learn that the prescriptions for heart drugs rose by 230%.”
Half of over-65s take at least five drugs a day Telegraph UK
Appears to be the source of Dr. Dean’s data
The other big drug problem: Older people taking too many pills Washington Post
- “Researchers estimate that 25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.”
Notice that 88% of seniors took at least one prescription drug in the past month
See also VitaminDWiki
Death rate in nursing home cut in half by just discontinuing unneeded medications – trial June 2007
13 reasons why many seniors need more vitamin D (both dose and level) - July 2023 has the following
- Senior skin produces 4X less Vitamin D for the same sun intensity
- Seniors have fewer vitamin D receptor genes as they age
Receptors are needed to get Vitamin D in blood actually into the cells - Many other Vitamin D genes decrease with age
- Since many gene activations are not detected by a blood test,
more Vitamin D is often needed, especially by seniors - Seniors are indoors more than when they were younger
not as agile, weaker muscles; frail, no longer enjoy hot temperatures - Seniors wear more clothing outdoors than when younger
Seniors also are told to fear skin cancer & wrinkles - 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 - Seniors often have one or more diseases that consume vitamin D
osteoporosis, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, ... - Seniors generally put on weight as they age - and a heavier body requires more vitamin D
- Seniors often (40%) have fatty livers – which do not process vitamin D as well
- Reduced stomach acid means less Magnesium is available to get vitamin D into the cells
- Vitamin D is not as bioavailable in senior intestines
- Seniors with poorly functioning kidneys do not process vitamin D as well
Seniors category has429 items 3049 visitors, last modified 17 Sep, 2023,