Whatever the form, vitamin D is one of the supplements that you need to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Moreover, a new study finds lack of vitamin D can lead to physical disorders when someone stepped on old age.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that the elderly are deficient in vitamin D more likely to have at least one functional disorders such as can not walk around in the house alone compared to those whose intake of vitamin D is adequate.
"Elderly that vitamin D levels are low are more likely to experience limited mobility and decreased physical function over time. Moreover, the elderly who have these limitations more often end up in a nursing home and face a greater risk of death," said lead researcher Evelien Sohl of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam as reported by CBSNews, Friday (07/19/2013).
Moreover, the researchers revealed that 90 percent of seniors having vitamin D deficiency Though vitamin D works to help build bone and muscle and prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis effects. Vitamin D itself can be obtained from sun exposure or foods such as cod liver oil, fatty fish, jejamuran, egg yolks, and liver. This vitamin is also commonly added to milk.
The conclusion obtained by researchers after observing 762 elderly aged between 65-88 years and compared with participants with younger age (55-65 years) as many as 597 people. Each participant was observed for six years as part of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.
Researchers also asked participants the ability to perform normal activities such as sitting, standing after sitting or walking on the street for five minutes without stopping.
Of blood tests also revealed high levels of vitamin D each participant and based on the levels of vitamin D in the body, participants were divided into three groups. For the elderly group, participants who reported the lowest levels of vitamin D likely 1.7 times more likely to have at least one limitation of physical activity than participants whose vitamin D levels are highest.
But when he saw the group of younger participants, those with vitamin D is at least two times more likely to have difficulty to perform at least one daily activity levels than those whose vitamin D it most.
Not only that, additional physical disorders are more common where three years later in the elderly group with the lowest vitamin D levels and six years in the group of younger participants.
"These findings indicate low levels of vitamin D in the elderly could be contributing to the decline in their ability to perform daily activities and live independently. Use of supplements may be considered to help prevent the decline, but this idea seems to need to be more profound," Sohl closed.
Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, the U.S. itself has long recommended that adults aged 51-70 years to obtain vitamin D intake of 600 IU per day, and adults aged 70 years and over to get 800 IU per day.
