Can Low Vitamin D Mean Early Death?
In recent months, there have been a huge number of debates surrounding vitamin D and mortality. Some studies have suggested that consuming a high level of vitamin D can lead to an early death while other researchers aren’t so convinced that this is true. But now, a recent study being conducted from the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine claims that there is a link between early death and vitamin D.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is designed to help regulate the absorption phosphorus and calcium in your body – more specifically, the bones. It is also important for immune system strength and cell-to-cell communication.
Vitamin D Deficiency Does Equate to Poor Bone Health
It is universally agreed that vitamin D deficiency can lead to diminished bone health. As a matter of fact, the US Institute of Medicine came to a conclusion that low levels of vitamin D are extremely hazardous to the body and can eventually lead to bone disease. However, the problems with low levels of vitamin D don’t stop there.
Last year, another study was conducted by the University of Kentucky. It indicated that vitamin D deficiency can actually cause damage to the brain. A more recent study suggested that maintaining low levels of vitamin D during the first 26 weeks of pregnancy can actually increase the risk of preeclampsia.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Mortality – Is There a Connection?
For the latest study, a UC-San Diego research team tried to determine if vitamin D deficiency had any influence in mortality rates. They discovered that patients with a lower amount of vitamin D in their system were twice as likely to die before their time. The researchers conducted a review of about 32 studies, each of which they analysed blood levels, mortality rates, and of course, vitamin D levels.
The study included more than 560,000 participants, and took place over 14 countries with the average participant being about 55 years of age. The study concluded that vitamin D is safe to consume when you’ve taken approximately 4,000 IU per day. Amounts lower than this were more likely to die a premature death.
The results of the study revealed that the participants with a lower amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in their bloodstream were twice as likely to die versus those individuals who had that amount in their bloodstream. The researchers recommend that individuals get checked for 25-hydroxyvitamin D at least once per year to ensure that they are getting the proper amount of vitamin D in their diet.
It must be noted that not all researchers support the results. Some feel that while there is some evidence to support the importance of vitamin D, there might not be enough to support the idea that it links to mortality. But whether or not this is true, almost all researchers can agree that a lack of vitamin D in the bloodstream can have a negative effect on the body.
