For many generations mankind has looked for the fountain of youth or some means to stay young. This hasn’t changed in the modern era and while there is no magic pill that will keep people young or allow them to live longer, a smart choice of supplements can not only help a person live longer, it can also help a person age more comfortably. The research regarding supplements is ongoing and as time goes by there is no doubt that even more way will be found to make aging a little easier and less painful.
Vitamins Make a Difference
Of all the vitamins a person can take, one that seems like a must have is vitamin D. Research from the early twentieth century showed that the body would produce vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light but only recently has additional benefits become known. According to an article published in Aging Health vitamin D supplementation in elderly women helped to reduce the incidence of hip fractures due to falls.Research has also shown that vitamin D receptor (VDR) cells in prostate, breast, colon, muscle, neurons, pancreatic b cells and immune cells help to protect cells in these areas from cancer if vitamin D levels are high enough. It has also been shown that men with advanced prostate cancer had a decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) greater than or equal to 50% when vitamin D was added to their treatment. Research also showed that to obtain high enough levels of vitamin D that supplements of at least 4000 IU were required.
Beyond Cancer Prevention
Low levels of vitamin D have correlated with higher levels of flu and pneumonia during winter as shown by Dr. JJ Cannell in Virology Journal. Vitamin D has also been shown to have an important role in the chance in developing and severity of tuberculosis according to an article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science. Low levels of vitamin D have also been associated with higher levels of inflammation in conjunction with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, as well as those suffering from chronic heart failure.There has also been research that shows low levels of vitamin D and the onset of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes as shown by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Additionally, it has also been shown that people with a vitamin D deficiency have higher glucose levels, increased risk of insulin resistance, hypertension and even abdominal obesity. Other reasons to avoid a vitamin D deficiency include a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure death related to heart failure.
How Much is Enough?
While current vitamin D recommended daily allowance (RDA) is quite low, there has been ongoing discussion as to the most correct amount of vitamin D for people to consume. Many of the studies cited here used levels that were more than double the RDA. Even with these levels, individuals who were deficient in vitamin D in their system still were considered to have low vitamin D levels. Additional research has shown no adverse effects or toxicity at levels of 10000 IU per day for adults. Given the need for vitamin D in the majority of the population and the fact that levels of at least 4000 IU per day are needed to meet the needs for 80 percent of people, it seems reasonable to maintain a dose level of 6000 to 8000 IU per day according to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Fortunately, most vitamin supplements come in either 1000 or 2000 IU capsules so 3-4 capsules per day is enough to meet the need to enjoy the benefits of vitamin D and to avoid the problems that can be brought on by vitamin D deficiency. Perhaps the most interesting research conducted with vitamin D is that for people over 50 who have an intake of at least 4000 IU per day, the overall mortality rate for all causes was less. This alone makes vitamin D a much needed vitamin to include in any supplementation plan.
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