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Vitamin D deficiency may lead to Mobility Issues in the Elderly

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Vitamin D deficiency and Mobility Issues

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to mobility issues as Vitamin D is need to keep healthy bones as well as a strong Cardio Vascular system .

Older people with lowest vitamin D levels are 1.7 times more likely to have at least one physical limitation than those with the highest levels. Not getting enough vitamin D may lead to problems with completing everyday tasks later in life.

I know from personal experience how important Vitamin D can be. While hospitalized a couple years ago, my levels of Vitamin D were almost nil. My own problem wasn’t from lack of sunshine but a COPD exacerbation. Though I was given injections of replacement Vitamin D, I still required rehab to be able to walk easily and keep my balance steadily.

This article discusses other consequences from low levels of Vitamin D and says, “Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time.”
Lead author Evelien Sohl, a researcher with VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, said in a press release, “Older individuals with these limitations are more likely to be admitted to nursing homes and face a higher risk of mortality.”

 “One of the reasons we’re so vitamin D deficient is we’re avoiding the sun and wearing sun screen,” Phillips added. “That’s great for skin cancer prevention, not such good news for our vitamin D levels.”

Dr. Michael Holick, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine, said that this study showed there was a necessity to look further into whether taking supplements could help with vitamin D deficiencies. He was not involved in the study.

The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements recommends adults 51 to 70 years old get 600 IUs of vitamin D each day and those 70 and older get 800 IUs daily. See on www.cbsnews.com

Make certain that your loved one takes frequent walks outside and receives a good daily dose of  Vitamin D.

To learn even more about Vitamin D check this article: 15 Benefits from Vitamin D   

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