Importance of Vitamin D As We Age

We all need certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in our diet to remain healthy and strong. Vitamin D is one such nutrient that we both consume through the foods we as well as a hormone our bodies make.

This important vitamin is closely related to building and maintaining healthy bones. It also helps with anti-inflammation, immune support, muscle function, generating brain cells, and giving your body antioxidants.

Most people make enough Vitamin D or consume foods rich in the vitamin to maintain their bone health and prevent damage to their bones or muscles when they fall. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies have been shown to produce less Vitamin D. This is especially true for people over the age of 65. Doctors are unsure if this decline in Vitamin D production is due to older adults being outdoors less or if it is harder to convert sunlight into Vitamin D as you age.

Getting enough Vitamin D as we age then becomes paramount to our bone and muscle health during a time when falls are a distinct possibility. Talk to your health care provider about your vitamin D levels and whether you or your loved one is deficient in the vitamin. This may result in the need to consume more Vitamin D-rich foods or be put on a supplement.

Benefits of Vitamin D As We Age

Promotes Bone Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become brittle and weak, affects 16% of all seniors.” There is a clear connection between Vitamin D and bone health in the elderly which can help seniors defend against bone softening.

A 2019 American Medical Association analysis of 49,000 participants found that seniors who combined adequate Vitamin D levels with sufficient calcium intake reduced their risk of hip fractures by 16%.

Protection from Cancers

The Harvard School of Public Health reports epidemiological studies which show that higher serum levels of Vitamin D are associated with substantially lower rates of colon, pancreatic, prostate, and other cancers, with the evidence strongest for colorectal cancer.

In addition to fending off life-threatening and chronic diseases, Vitamin D can help boost a senior’s immune system to defeat more everyday illnesses like colds, the flu, and other respiratory conditions.

Improved Mental Health

The Journal of Gerontology published a study completed in 2017 that shows a link between lower levels of vitamin D and depressive symptoms, such as loneliness, lack of enjoyment, and restless sleep in more than 5,600 older adults taking part in the study.

Improved Oral Health

As we age, it is more likely that our gums will experience periodontal disease and that our teeth will experience tooth decay. Vitamin D may be able to improve oral health as we age.

Because vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, it plays a crucial role in lowering the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers hypothesize that “due to its ability to function as an anti-inflammatory agent and stimulate the production of antimicrobial peptides, as well as its effect on bone metabolism, Vitamin D helps support healthy gums and teeth.”

Talk to your health care provider about the amount of Vitamin D needed in your diet and whether you are getting the amount needed to keep your bones and muscles healthy.