Abstract
The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the elderly population worldwide raises concerns regarding the potential multiple health consequences of persistent, long-term, low vitamin D levels, beyond the traditional detrimental effects on calcium metabolism and bone health. Observational studies and recent randomized clinical trials have found an increased risk of falls, physical dysmobility and cancer in individuals with lower vitamin D concentrations. Cross-sectional studies have also found an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death. The optimal serum vitamin D concentration for bone health appears to have been established but the current recommended doses of vitamin D are too low to result in normal serum levels in the majority of the population and the elderly in particular. Furthermore, observational studies suggest that higher serum levels might be necessary when targeting other health outcomes.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.