Vit D deficiency linked to early death

An Australian study has found that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to early death, prompting calls for people to follow healthy vitamin D level guidelines. 

The main source of vitamin D is the sun, and while there’s ample availability, it’s said that 1 in 3 Australian adults still suffer from mild, moderate, or even severe vitamin D deficiency.

These statistics are concerning as new research from the University of South Australia (UniSA) has provided strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with premature death.

“While severe vitamin D deficiency is rarer in Australia than elsewhere in the world, it can still affect those who have health vulnerabilities, the elderly, and those who do not acquire enough vitamin D from healthy sun exposure and dietary sources,” First author and UniSA PhD candidate, Josh Sutherland said.

Published in Annals of Internal Medicine the study, which used data from more than 300,000 people, found that the more severe the deficiency, the greater the risk of mortality.

“Our study provides strong evidence for the connection between low levels of vitamin D and mortality, and this is the first study of its kind to also include respiratory disease-related mortality as an outcome,” Mr Sutherland said.

Senior investigator and Director of UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen, says more research is now needed to establish effective public health strategies that can help achieve national guidelines and reduce the risk of premature death associated with low vitamin D levels.

“The take-home message here is simple – the key is in the prevention. It is not good enough to think about vitamin D deficiency when already facing life-challenging situations when early action could make all the difference,” Professor Hyppönen said.

“It is very important to continue public health efforts to ensure the vulnerable and elderly maintain sufficient vitamin D levels throughout the year.”

Pharmacies are in a unique position to promote public health efforts to ensure that those who are vulnerable and the elderly have sufficient vitamin D levels all year-round.

To read the study, visit: acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-3324