Despite the abundant availability of vitamin D from sunlight, a concerning one in three Australian adults still experiences varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency, which can now be linked to premature death, according to recent research from the University of South Australia.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, emphasizes the importance of following recommended guidelines for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and ensuring the strength and health of our bones and muscles.
The study, led by UniSA PhD candidate Josh Sutherland, found a clear association between vitamin D deficiency and mortality, with the severity of deficiency correlating with the risk of premature death.
While severe vitamin D deficiency is less common in Australia than in other parts of the world, it can still affect individuals with underlying health vulnerabilities, the elderly, and those who do not receive sufficient vitamin D from sunlight and dietary sources.
Sutherland notes, “Our study provides strong evidence for the connection between low levels of vitamin D and mortality, and this is the first study of its kind to also include respiratory disease-related mortality as an outcome.
We used a new genetic method to explore and confirm the non-linear relationships observed in observational settings, providing robust evidence of the link between low vitamin D status and premature death.”
Establishing causal relationships between vitamin D deficiency and mortality has been challenging in the past, primarily because clinical trials often fail to recruit individuals with low vitamin D levels or are not permitted to include vitamin-deficient participants.
The Mendelian randomization study analyzed 307,601 records from the UK Biobank. It defined low vitamin D levels as less than 25 nmol/L, with the average concentration found to be 45.2 nmol/L.
Over a 14-year follow-up period, researchers observed a significant decrease in the risk of death as vitamin D concentrations increased, with the most pronounced effects observed among individuals with severe deficiencies.
Professor Elina Hyppönen, Director of UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health and senior investigator of the study, highlights the need for further research to establish effective public health strategies that align with national guidelines and reduce the risk of premature death associated with low vitamin D levels.
The study’s key takeaway is clear: prevention is the key. Waiting until individuals face life-threatening situations may be too late when early action can make a substantial difference.
Maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels, especially among vulnerable and elderly populations, should remain a priority throughout the year through ongoing public health efforts.
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For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, and results showing vitamin K may lower your heart disease risk by a third.
The research findings can be found in Annals of Internal Medicine.
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