08/13/2018 / By RJ Jhonson
Vitamin D is a fairly well-known vitamin, thanks largely to its association with calcium. More studies are coming out proving its benefits in building stronger bones. One such study detailed how vitamin D intake can help elderly people avoid hip fractures, thereby protecting them from injury and helping improve their quality of life.
The study involved 4,100 ambulatory, non-institutionalized adults, aged 60 to 90 years. The participants took part in the United States’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A key factor that determined their qualification for the study was the availability of data relating to their physical performance relevant to muscle strength and lower-extremity function, as well as the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
The researchers collected various data, including medical comorbidities, activity levels, calcium intake, BMI, race and ethnicity, and family income. They determined the participants’ serum concentrations through radioimmunoassay from venous blood samples.
Finally, they assessed the participants’ lower-extremity function through an eight-foot walk exercise, as well as five repetitions of an exercise that involved sitting and rising from a chair.
The researchers found that while performance tended to vary depending on age and comorbidity, those who had higher serum concentrations also exhibited better performance than those with lower serum concentrations. They noted that lower extremity function is closely associated with the risk for disability, hip fractures, and falls. (Related: Magnesium consumption linked to lower risk of hip fractures.)
Vitamin D is essential in the absorption of calcium. Both adults and children need it to build strong bones. It also has an important role in maintaining healthy cells.
The body naturally synthesizes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. As a rule, darker skin leads to lower production of vitamin D. However, one must be careful when staying under the sun, as too much exposure can lead to skin cancer.
It is possible to obtain vitamin D from supplements, but one doesn’t need to go far from his or her diet just to get this crucial nutrient. Here are some of the best sources of vitamin D:
Learn of the other benefits of vitamin D at Nurients.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: aging, elderly, geriatric health, geriatric safety, hip fracture, muscle strength, Nutrient, nutrition, older adults, seniors, supplements, vitamin D