Low Vitamin D Levels Can Create Physical Limitations in Older Adults

Vitamin D can be essential for the performance of everyday activities of older individuals.

In fact, according to a recent study, older people with vitamin deficiencies may even struggle with daily physical activities, such as dressing or climbing stairs.

Researchers studied more than 1,300 individuals, aged 55 to 88, in the Netherlands who were followed for a six year period. Each participant's vitamin D level was tracked throughout the period, as well as their daily routine and their ability to function while doing certain physical tasks.

The study results showed that participants aged 65 to 88 with the lowest vitamin D levels were 1.7 times as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels. And worse yet, participants aged 55 to 65 that had the lowest levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels.

In the oldest group of participants, approximately 70 percent of those with the lowest vitamin D levels had at least one physical limitation, while most of those with moderate or high vitamin D levels had no physical limitations.

The researchers also found that over time, those with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to develop additional physical limitations. This often occurred over three years among those in the older age group and over six years for those in the younger age group.

"Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time," study author Evelien Sohl, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, said in a journal news release. "Older individuals with these limitations are more likely to be admitted to nursing homes and face a higher risk of mortality."

These findings seem to indicate that low levels of vitamin D in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to live independently, according to Sohl.

While the study found an association between low vitamin D levels and limited mobility, researchers must conduct further studies in order to know if they can establish a cause-effect relationship.

More information regarding the study can be found in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & amp; Metabolism.