Vitamin D...For a Long & Healthy Life

Researchers have linked vitamin D to a longer lifer, according to a new study published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine in August, 2008.

Researchers tracked the vitamin D level of 13,000 men and women over eight and a half years and found that a dietary deficiency of vitamin D was associated with an increased risk of death from all causes by 26%. During the study, 1,806 people died. Of the 777 who died from cardiovascular disease, more than half were deficient in vitamin D.

One of the study's authors posits that vitamin D affects many of the body’s organs, and deficiency is known to be a risk factor for heart attacks, depression, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. While the study did not pinpoint any of these as a cause of mortality the researchers believe that the weight of the evidence leads strongly toward a cardiovascular connection.

This connection to heart disease has be echoed in previous studies as well.

About 25% of adults age 40 and older are deficient in vitamin D according to researchers.  People who are at most risk include the elderly, those who don’t spend much time in the sun and the overweight and obese. The current recommended daily intake is 200 to 400 I.U. for those up to age 70, and 600 I.U. for those over 70, but new studies may soon lead to higher recommended daily requirements for the vitamin.

Taking a supplement makes even more sense when you consider that sunscreen with SPF 15 reduces the skin’s ability to make vitamin D by 99%. 

Consider also that it’s very hard to get enough vitamin D through the diet, according to the study's author. The main sources of vitamin D are fish, such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp; milk, eggs and certain fortified cereals.

Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to teen depression, certain cancers, rickets (bone demineralization), osteoporosis, and other health problems.

Current recommendations are to have your physician screen your  Vitamin D levels when getting your blood work analysis.

For an inexpensive but remarkable supplement, consider LifeSource Nutrition's vitamin D supplement.  Make sure you reference Amy Rinaldi when checking out.