Low Vitamin D Hastens Death Among Seniors

Older people with low blood levels of vitamin D seem to die earlier than their peers with normal levels of this vitamin. The study included more than 2,500 African-American and Caucasian elders between 70 and 79 years old. Blood levels of vitamin D were determined at the beginning of the study, and approximately one-third of them had vitamin D insufficiency. Follow-up interviews were conducted every six months for more than 8 years. During the study, seniors with low vitamin D levels [under 30 nanograms/ml] were 50 percent more likely to die from any cause. The researchers suggest that this should become a focus of public health concern.
[Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nov, 2012]