Low Vitamin D Increases Early Death by 26%

Another study (from Johns Hopkins) showed that having vitamin D levels in the lowest quarter of the population increase the likelihood of dying (over the 6-12 years of the study) by 26%. This study was in healthy people 20 years of age and older.

This study by Johns Hopkins researchers connected vitamin D deficiency to a higher risk of death, according to study author Erin Michos, assistant professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Michos and her colleagues analyzed data from more than 13,000 people who represented a realistic sample of Americans over 20 years old. Vitamin D levels were measured from 1988 through 1994. By 2000, Michos says, 1,807 deaths had occurred, 777 from heart disease. Those with vitamin D levels under 17.8 ng/mL were 26% more likely to be dead at the end of the study than those with higher vitamin D levels.

“We found a new risk factor for death,” Michos says.

Instead of waiting 20 years while they do more research, I recommend you get 1,000-2,000 units of vitamin D a day—NOW. 90% of our vitamin D comes from sunshine. Healthy advice? Avoid sunburn—not sunshine!

References

Low Vitamin D Linked to Early Death (AOL News)