Lack of vitamin D can lead to slow mobility in the elderly and may increase the risk of physical disability. The main reasons for vitamin D deficiency in older adults are insufficient vitamin D in the daily diet and lack of sunlight exposure.
Researchers studied 976 individuals aged 65 and above, with an average age of 74.8, and conducted physical tests including walking speed, balance, and grip strength. The study also considered other factors that can affect the elderly's mobility, such as the ratio of weight to height, mental and seasonal factors, physical conditions, and anemia. The final conclusion was that older adults with lower levels of vitamin D in their bodies had 5% to 10% lower physical ability and grip strength compared to their peers with normal vitamin D levels.
The research report states that one-fourth of individuals aged 60 and above have insufficient levels of vitamin D in their bodies. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D not only promotes bone health but also plays a role in preventing diseases such as diabetes, cancer, colds, and tuberculosis.
The lead researcher of this study pointed out that vitamin D can be produced through natural sunlight exposure and can also be obtained from sources such as milk, juice, and fortified cereals. However, it is difficult to extract sufficient amounts of vitamin D from food alone, so getting more sun exposure is an effective way to obtain vitamin D.
Currently, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for individuals aged 50 to 69 is 400 international units, while individuals aged 70 and above should aim for 600 international units.
