Dr. Mercola December 20 2003 1,434 views
A study found that almost half of elderly women in high-level residential care, though not bedridden, were severely deficient in vitamin D. Being vitamin D deficient puts the elderly at more of a risk to fall and injure themselves, possibly leading to death.
Vitamin D is produced in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. It has also been proven to assist in the function of healthy bones and muscle and brain function. Lacking in either of these could cause an elderly person to fall.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society December 3, 2003
It is estimated that over 25 million adults in the United States have, or are at risk of developing, osteoporosis, a disease characterized by fragile bones that can result in increased risk of bone fractures.
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with greater incidence of hip fractures. A greater vitamin D intake from diet and supplements has been associated with less bone loss in older women. Since bone loss increases the risk of fractures, vitamin D supplementation may help prevent fractures resulting from osteoporosis.
Having normal storage levels of vitamin D in your body helps keep your bones strong and may help prevent osteoporosis in elderly, non-ambulatory individuals, in post-menopausal women, and in individuals on chronic steroid therapy.
The major source of vitamin D is sunlight. If you live in the United States however, there is a high likelihood that you will be vitamin D deficient in the winter. Most people do not get sufficient sun exposure during the winter months and actually lose bone density during this time.
This is where cod liver oil, which contains vitamin D, comes in. However, you need to be careful with cod liver oil, as you can easily overdose on it. Too much vitamin D is harmful and will actually worsen your bone density.
For more details, check out my frequently asked questions, as you will find all the answers you need on cod liver oil.
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The caution about dangers of getting too much vitamin D are overblown. There is good evidence that supposed vitamin D toxicity is actually a sign of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamins A & D need to be in good balance, which they are in good quality cod liver oil. The same holds true for supposed vitamin A toxicity - which is really a sign of vitamin D deficiency. See "Vitamin A On Trial: Does Vitamin A Cause Osteoporosis?" at www.westonaprice.org/.../vitamina-osteo.html for the research supporting this important balance issue. And also "Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Cod Liver Oil: Some Clarifications" - www.westonaprice.org/.../clarifications.html