Why is Vitamin D an important part of an anti-aging regimen?

You may have heard about Vitamin D on the news or a morning talk show sometime during the past year and then forgotten about it, but having adequate blood levels of Vitamin D is an important part of an anti-aging regimen. Recent studies have shown that up to 50% of adults are deficient in this essential vitamin. And the number of those who do not have optimal levels is much higher. If you are deficient in Vitamin D, you may be at increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and auto-immune disorders.

In April I attended the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Conference in Orlando. Vitamin D was a big topic at the conference. Here are some important points:

As we age, our bodies become less able to produce Vitamin D so virtually everyone over the age of 50 could benefit from supplementing with this important nutrient.

Sunlight on bare skin is required for Vitamin D production. We have had the risks of sun exposure drilled into our heads. We all know that the UVA rays from sunlight exposure damage our skin and that getting sunburned increases the damage; however, sunscreen also blocks the production of Vitamin D. What to do? Many experts in the field of anti-aging medicine are recommending a supplement with anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 units of Vitamin D per day.

• Sufficient levels of Vitamin D help to prevent bone disorders like rickets and osteoporosis. A serum level of 25 is all that is required to prevent 99% of cases of rickets. A serum level greater than 50 results in a 50% decrease in the incidence of bone fractures.
• Insufficient levels of Vitamin D increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes and hyperparathyroidism and these in turn increase the risk of cardiovascular events. A serum level greater than 50 also decreases the incidence of heart attacks by 30%.
• Preliminary studies have linked memory problems to lower levels of Vitamin D. Having adequate levels of this nutrient may help to decrease your risk for Alzheimer's.
• Higher levels of Vitamin D have been associated with a lower incidence of breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Research has also shown that a serum level greater than 50 yields an 83% decreased incidence of breast cancer, a 17% decreased incidence in ovarian cancer and a 60% decreased incidence of colon cancers.

Even so, no one should take high doses of Vitamin D without first having your levels checked. A simple blood test for 25-hydroxy vitamin D will give you your starting point. When supplementing with Vitamin D, you should also check the level periodically to determine if you are getting the desired effect and increasing your levels appropriately, not enough, or too much.

With so many potential benefits and so very little associated risks it seems that getting your vitamin D levels checked and using supplementation as needed is a smart and healthy choice.