The lack of vitamin D may increase the risk of reduced physical performance as well as disability for elderly people, according to researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. This is because older adults do not get enough Sun exposure, or eat the recommended daily dose of vitamin D.
The study showed a strong link between poor physical performance and low vitamin D levels, said Denise Houston, lead author of the study.
The participants' were tested to evaluate their ability to maintain balance in special positions, the capacity to stand up from a chair, walking speed, or hand grip strength. The results proved that people with low levels of vitamin D had a ten percent lower physical performance than others.
Vitamin D is important not only for bone health. Previous studies showed it also protects the body from colds, diabetes, tuberculosis, and cancer. Vitamin D is naturally produced under sun exposure. Juice, cereals, and fortified milk also contain vitamin D but the amounts do not cover the daily need of vitamin D, said Houston. The study wasn't especially designed to focus on the connection between low vitamin D levels and physical performance, but the results point at it, said Houston. Higher amounts of vitamin D may be necessary to maintain muscle strength and physical function, said Houston.
Almost one-fourth of people over sixty exhibit low levels of vitamin D because they don`t get enough sunlight or their skin produces less vitamin D from sunlight, unlike young adults.
