Vitamin D Could Help To Prevent Age-Related Illnesses, Study

Let the sun smile on you as you age, and watch your body warming up to health and happiness.

The sun brings in Vitamin D into your life, which prevents as well as treats diseases that are linked with ageing, says research conducted by Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON), according to thehealthsite.

Scientists looked at evidence finding a link between Vitamin D deficiency and chronic diseases associated with aging such as cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

The results are published in the Journal of Aging and Gerontology.

 "Vitamin D deficiency is a common, serious medical condition that significantly affects the health and well-being of older adults," said one of the authors, Sue Penckofer, professor at Loyola University Chicago, MNSON.

When a body absorbs Vitamin D through sunshine or supplements, it helps in recovery of age-related diseases. Most older adults face the risk of Vitamin D deficiency in their diet, reduced time in the sunshine and scarce skin absorption of Vitamin D.

 "Better understanding the relationship between Vitamin D and chronic diseases in older adults and whether treatment of Vitamin D deficiency can prevent or treat these disorders is important given the increasing number of people at risk for these health issues," researcher Meghan Meehan from MNSON said. With adults above 65 years expected to double from 2012 to 2060, the problem will become more acute, and in need of more treatment.

The Institute of Medicine prescribes that adults up to 70 years should consume 600 IU of Vitamin D everyday, while adults over 70 years should consume 800 IU of the vitamin everyday.

Those who do not consume it everyday need to follow a set of guidelines that will help them to get exposed to the nutrient regularly.

"Research to examine the proper dosing of Vitamin D supplements necessary to prevent the chronic diseases of aging also would have significant benefit for future generations," added Meehan.