Vitamin D and Ageing

Original Editor - Lucinda hampton

Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Vidya Acharya, Stacy Lawrence and Khloud Shreif  

Introduction

There is evidence that Vitamin D (Vit D) plays a role in regulating the rate of ageing process as vitamin D regulates a number of the processes that influence ageing (e.g. autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, DNA disorders, and alterations in Ca2+ and ROS signaling). Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for development and maintenance of a healthy skeletal structure and heart. Adequate vitamin D can be acquired from D Deficiency?utm source=physiopedia&utm medium=search&utm campaign=ongoing internal#Vitamin D: Adequate Sources of Intake nutritious foods as well as from exposure of the skin to environmental sunlight. Vitamin D is a misnomer as the molecule is present in food such as fatty fish, e.g. salmon and trout, beef liver, cheese, egg yolk, and small quantities in mushrooms and some vegetables. More precisely it is an essential micronutrient with critical regulatory functions. Various health problems, including cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, are linked to vitamin D deficiency.With increasing life-expectancy, geriatrics population are prone problems related to the vitamin D deficiency.

Risk Factors

The likelihood of vitamin D deficiency rises significantly as age increases. Risk factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency in older adults include:

• reduced nutritional intake of vitamin D,
• increasing adiposity,
• decreased cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D, and
• less time spent outdoors

Ageing occurs due to biomolecular damage, and defective cellular component accumulation. This then starts a progression of events leading to the weakening of the whole-body function. The term Immunosenescence describes these changes:

• Senescence means the inability to maintain homeostasis, noted by the over or incorrect expression of inflammatory/immune/stress responses.
• Immunosurveillance declines, leading to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, increasing the risk of comorbidities.

Vitamin D's Protective Function

The protective function exerted by vitamin D on skeletal muscle is well known. Adequate intake of vitamin D delays the abnormal processes associated with ageing and age-related diseases. Namely:

• Restoring mitochondrial function
• Counteracting oxi-inflamm-aging.
• Limit or even neutralize oxidative stress and ROS generation in myocytes, and the accumulation and expression of garbage molecules.

Research supports the devastating effects of vitamin D deficiency adversely affecting musculoskeletal health, such as falls, fragility fractures, and mobility issues.

Beyond its musculoskeletal effects, vitamin D may also influence several extra-skeletal actions, modulating several biomolecular mechanisms and pathways. This is done through genomic and non-genomic pathways, influencing their expression and activating epigenetic changes or influencing the cellular environment.

Physiotherapy

Keep your client informed on the importance of vitamin D

1. Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health in older adults.
2. The two main sources of vitamin D are:
   • D2 (ergocalciferol) from vegetable sources and oral supplements
   • D3 (cholecalciferol) primarily obtained from skin exposure to sunlight
3. Proper sun exposure is important for vitamin D synthesis, but caution on the risks of overexposure.
4. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to decline in muscle strength and physical functioning, and increase the risk of falls.
5. Adequate vitamin D levels, combined with exercise, may have additive benefits for musculoskeletal health in older adults.
6. Consult their doctor regarding Vitamin D supplementation (when combined with calcium, may help reduce the risk of fractures in the elderly population). Low-dose vitamin D regimens are generally preferred as they can efficiently reduce the risk of falls and fractures, whereas infrequent large bolus doses may increase fall risk.
7. Certain groups are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency, including nursing home residents, elderly patients, and those with certain chronic conditions.
8. Emphasize the importance of following medical recommendations for vitamin D intake

Viewing

Watch these 2 informative videos to learn more:

The 5 Minute Vitamin D Talk

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How Vitamin D Helps Athletic Performance and Prevents Injuries ( 17 minutes)

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