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Vitamin D, often called the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ can reduce the risk of death from any cause by as much as 57 percent. This finding comes from British medical expert Sarah Brewer. According to research from the U.S. and Europe, getting enough of this vitamin could be key to living longer.
What Did Researchers Discover?
We get most of this vitamin from sunlight, which is why people call it the ‘sunshine’ vitamin.
As Sarah Brewer explained, an international team of scientists performed a meta-analysis of eight studies that examined the link between vitamin D levels and mortality rates.
The pooled research included more than 26,000 adults aged 50 and older. The authors adjusted for factors such as age, sex, blood type, body mass index, education, smoking status, and physical activity. They also accounted for health conditions tied to mortality, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Vitamin D levels vary by country, sex, and season. Still, as reported by the Daily Express, the meta-analysis produced consistent results across participants: people with the highest vitamin D levels had a 57 percent lower chance of dying from any medical cause compared with those who had insufficient levels.
The research team concluded that maintaining an adequate vitamin D level is important for longevity. Experts recommend that older adults get between 25 and 50 micrograms of vitamin D daily.
Spend at least 20–30 minutes outdoors during daylight hours to help maintain vitamin D levels. This advice is especially relevant in winter. Also eat foods rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish high in omega-3s (salmon, trout, mackerel, and tuna), beef liver, eggs (especially the yolks), cheese, butter, milk, and other dairy products.
What Other Benefits Does This Vitamin Offer?
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that vitamin D helps protect the brain from decline.
To explore this link, scientists analyzed more than 295,000 genetic profiles from the UK Biobank. They found that low vitamin D levels are associated with smaller brain volume. The researchers estimate that correcting vitamin D deficiency could prevent about 17 percent of dementia cases.
Scientists also link insufficient vitamin D intake to a higher risk of stroke.
Previous studies on the ‘sunshine’ vitamin have shown that it is essential for bone and dental health. The vitamin also plays a key role in maintaining muscle strength.
