Written by Diana Gnat, DC.
Previous studies suggest that low vitamin D levels could be associated with higher mortality from life-threatening conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes mellitus (1) that account for 60% to 70% of deaths in high-income countries. (2-3) The estimated total cost of CVD for 2008 is $448.5 billion. (4) In the United States in 2007, Diabetes’s estimated total cost was $174 billion. (5) In 2005, The overall cost of cancer was $209.9 billion. (6) The overall cost of these diseases is staggering.
Now a new study reports a 26% greater risk of all-cause death when blood levels of 25(OH)D [storage form of vitamin D] are deficient, less than 17.8 ng/mL, when compared to levels more than 32.1 ng/mL. (8) The researchers used the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. They studied 13,331 women and men, 20 years or older, who had a physical examination and laboratory testing at baseline. Interview questions, physical examination, and laboratory values, such as C-reactive protein, glucose, albumin, creatinine, and lipids levels were assessed in all study participants at baseline. Participants’ vitamin D levels were collected from 1988 through 1994, and individuals were followed for mortality [death] through 2000. (8)
During 8.7 years of follow-up, the researchers found 1,806 deaths, of which 777 (43%) were attributed to cardiovascular disease, 424 (23%) were attributed to cancers, 105 (6%) were attributed to infectious causes, and 92 (5%) were attributed to external causes of death. Significant associations were found when the researchers assessed vitamin D levels and the risk for total mortality. However, no significant associations were found when cardiovascular disease or cancer was assessed alone.
Low vitamin D levels were associated with older participants, women, and non-Hispanic blacks. Researchers also observed increases in high blood pressure, elevated BMI, diabetes, and C-reactive protein levels in participants with low vitamin D levels. Low socioeconomic status was also observed in more participants within the lowest blood range of vitamin D, less than 17.8 ng/mL. These participants also had the lowest percentages of high physical activity levels and use of vitamin D supplementation. (7)
Vitamin D can be found in some foods, fortified foods, vitamin supplements and can also be synthesized in the body after sun exposure to the skin. (8)
Source: Melamed, Michal L., Erin D. Michos, Wendy Post, and Brad Astor. “25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of mortality in the general population.” Archives of internal medicine 168, no. 15 (2008): 1629-1637.
© 2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Posted August 27, 2008.
Diana Gnat is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Plainfield, IL. You can contact Dr. Gnat directly by emailing her at chirodla@aol.com.
Reference:
- Autier P, Gandini S, Vitamin D. Supplementation and total mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails. Arch Intern Med. 2007: 167(16):1730-1737.
- National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2006, With Chart Book on Trends in the Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD; National Center for Health Statistics: 2006.
- Niederlaender E. Causes of Death in the EU. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg: Eurostat; October 2006. Population and Social Conditions-Statistics in Focus 10/2006.
- Circulation. 2008;117:e25-e146.
- NIH Publication June 2008 ; No. 08–3892.
- McKoy, J.M. et al. Cost considerations in the management of cancer in the older patient. Oncology. 2007 Jun;21(7):851-7.
- Melamed, M.L. et al. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and the Risk of Mortality in the General Population. Arch Intern Med. 2008; 168(15):1629-1637.
- Martins, D. et al. Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in the United States. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(11):1159-1165.
