Vitamin D is commonly known as the Sunshine Vitamin but it might soon be named the Anti-Aging Vitamin. How much do we love that! As we all know, Vitamin D is important in absorbing other nutrients, supporting brain, bone, and skin health but new research shows that Vitamin D is especially important for people over 55.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, revealed that the elderly with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to have at least one functional problem compared to people with healthy levels of the vitamin. Researchers studied two groups — people 55-65 and those over the age of 65 — to see if they could perform basic everyday tasks. The groups were both tested to see if they could walk up or down a 15-step staircase, dress themselves, stand up, trim their toenails, walk outside unaided for five minutes, and use transportation.
Researchers were specifically looking at the correlation between Vitamin D levels and aging problems. In both groups, scientists found that people with low Vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer a disability than those with normal Vitamin D levels. The study also found that Vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of a hip fracture by 30% and the risk of any non-spinal fracture by 14%.
So, what do we do with this new-found information?
Researchers recommend getting 800 IU of Vitamin D per day to make up for low levels of the vitamin that you are getting from sunlight (or not getting if you have a love/hate relationship with the sun) and your diet. Although 20 minutes in the sun is usually sufficient for getting your daily dose of Vitamin D, most people in the Northern Hemisphere don’t get enough UVB rays for six months out of the year. That makes Vitamin D supplements that much more important for people over 55 that live in most of the developed world.
Previous studies looked at the problem of Vitamin D deficiency among the elderly also recommend taking a calcium supplement along with Vitamin D, if you are not getting enough calcium in your diet. The combination makes for better absorption of both and helps support healthy bones to prevent fractures.
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The best supplemental form in which to take the “sunshine vitamin” is vitamin D3, as there are not that many foods that contains this mega-star vitamin. Second, those foods that do contain D almost always have it in the form of D2 – a slightly different form than that created by sun exposure. We highly recommend D3Fusion™ with its advanced delivery system for enhanced absorption.
What abaout the correlation between vitamine D, Calcium intake and Kidney stones?
Hi Rloye. I suppose it depends on what you read and what you believe. It also depends on a persons overall health, risk and family history of disease, etc. Many factors are at play here. The type of calcium you take also makes a difference. A study from a few years back conducted by Gallagher and Vinod Yalamanchili, M.D., a research fellow in Creighton University’s Bone Metabolism Unit suggested elevated calcium levels in the urine (hypercalciuria) may raise the risk of kidney stones, whilst higher calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia) are linked to numerous complications, such as bone and kidney problems.
Dr G evaluated 163 healthy, postmenopausal women aged between 57 and 85 years, who were randomly assigned to either take placebo or a vitamin D supplement of 400, 800, 1600, 2400, 3200, 4000, or 4800 international units a day. In addition, the researchers raised the participants’ calcium intake from 691 milligrams per day at the start of the study to 1,200-1,400 mg/day. The levels of calcium in the blood and urine were measured at baseline and every three months for the 12-months study period.
The results revealed that about 33% of the participants (n=48) developed high levels of calcium in their urine. Overall, the researchers noted 88 episodes of high urinary calcium. Earlier studies provided evidence that high calcium levels in the urine are linked to an elevated risk of kidney stones. However, the team notes that no incidents of kidney stones were observed during the one-year study period.
The findings also showed that around 10% of participants (n=16) developed high levels of calcium in the blood. Overall, there were 25 episodes of high calcium levels in the blood, although in both incidents the increases were not linked to the vitamin D dosage.
Gallagher explained: “Because of the unpredictable response, it is not clear whether it is the extra calcium, the vitamin D or both together that cause these problems, but goes on to add “However, it is possible that long-term use of supplements causes hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia, and this can contribute to kidney stones.”
With that being said I would say it might be something to discuss with a doctor if you are someone at risk of developing kidney stones or at all concerned, but although I am no scientist, it doesn’t seem to be that these findings show much if any of a risk at all.