2023-12-18 20:05:00
Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Increased Mortality, Study Finds
As the cold season sets in and the sun becomes a rare sight, many people in Germany are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. This lack of essential nutrients can have far-reaching consequences, including an increased risk of mortality, according to a recent study.
The study, conducted by the Medical University of Vienna, compared the vitamin D levels of 78,000 patients with data from death registers. Researchers found that a persistent vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of death, particularly among diabetes patients. Younger and middle-aged people were particularly affected by this risk.
The research team set the healthy vitamin D level at 50 nmol/L, with low levels at 10 nmol/L and high levels at 90 nmol/L. The study showed that a vitamin D level of 10 nmol/L or less increased the risk of death by two to three times. On the other hand, high values of 90 nmol/L or more reduced mortality by 30 to 40 percent. The greatest effect was seen in the 45 to 60-year-old age group.
Diabetes patients, in particular, benefited from higher vitamin D levels in the blood, whereas a deficiency of the vitamin increased the risk of death by 4.4 times.
However, the study found no statistically significant connection between mortality and vitamin D levels for patients over 75 years of age. It also did not identify a negative effect caused by too high a concentration of vitamin D in the blood.
The German Society for Nutrition recommends that individuals expose their face, hands, and parts of their arms and legs to the sun for 5 to 25 minutes every day between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., depending on skin type and time of year.
The researchers at the University of Vienna have urged for widespread vitamin D supplementation to prevent premature mortality, while also highlighting the need for early administration and defusing concerns about a possible negative impact at higher levels.
Furthermore, recent studies have supported the importance of a balanced vitamin D balance. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the progression of diabetic kidney disease and an increased risk of mortality among cancer patients. A balanced vitamin D household is also said to reduce the risk of dementia.
As the findings of these studies continue to emerge, it is becoming increasingly clear that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is crucial for overall health and longevity.]
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