Vitamin D supplementation in older persons: Benefits and requirements

The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the elderly population worldwide raises concerns regarding the potential multiple health consequences of persistent, long-term, low vitamin D levels, beyond the traditional detrimental effects on calcium metabolism and bone health. Observational studies and recent randomized clinical trials have found an increased risk of falls, physical dysmobility and cancer in individuals with lower vitamin D concentrations. Cross-sectional studies have also found an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death. The optimal serum vitamin D concentration for bone health appears to have been established but the current recommended doses of vitamin D are too low to result in normal serum levels in the majority of the population and the elderly in particular. Furthermore, observational studies suggest that higher serum levels might be necessary when targeting other health outcomes.