142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why the best dose of vitamin D for older adults is lower than you might think. She explains why vitamin D is important and how the latest research suggests that high doses of vitamin D might actually be risky for older adults. This episode covers:

• What is vitamin D
• What is an optimal level of vitamin D
• When to test vitamin D levels
• What is vitamin D deficiency
• Official vitamin D intake recommendations
• Key vitamin D research findings
• Vitamin D and fall prevention
• The vitamin D dose she recommends for older adults

Related episode: 

• 138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging

Related Resources:

• Vitamin D: What to Know (& Why to Be Careful About High Doses)
• Vitamin D total unit calculator
• NIH: Vitamin D Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
• Scholarly articles:
• The Relationship of Falls With Achieved 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels From Vitamin D Supplementation: The STURDY Trial
• Monthly High-Dose Vitamin D Treatment for the Prevention of Functional Decline
• Vitamin D supplementation and risk of falling
• Medium doses of Vitamin D Decrease Falls and Higher Doses of Daily Vitamin D3 Increase Falls
• Effect of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Strength
• Vitamin D for the Prevention of Disease: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline