Vitamin D – one source of vitality
Vitamin D is currently of great public health interest, being a crucial nutrient for our body functions. Vitamin D is not only essential for maintaining mineral balance in the body, but also contributes to several physiological functions, including maintenance of normal bones, muscle strength and muscle function. Latest clinical evidence confirms the role of vitamin D in reducing falls and fractures, modulating the immune system1 and slowing down cognitive decline.2,3 Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and cancer.4,5
Ensuring an optimal vitamin D status is therefore very important. Although vitamin D can be produced endogenously by the body after exposure to sunlight, especially older people are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to decreased dietary intake or decreased endogen vitamin D synthesis as consequence of diminished sunlight exposure or effectiveness of synthesis.
An adequate vitamin D status can significantly reduce the risk of falls by 19 % (due to improving muscle strength and function)6, non vertebral fractures by 14 % and hip fractures by 30 %.7
References:
1) Aranow C. J Investig Med. 2011;59(6):881-6
2) Miller JW et al. JAMA Neurol 2015;72(11):1295-303
3) Littlejohns TJ et al. Neurology 2014;83(10):920-8
4) Holick MF. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(3):266-81
5) Mitri J et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011;65(9):1005-15
6) Bischoff-Ferrari HA et al. BMJ 2009;339:b3692
7) Bischoff-Ferrari HA et al. N Engl J Med 2012;367(1):40-9