The body progressively deteriorates with age, therefore we must take care of it and give it all the vitamins it need for a long and healthy life, particularly for elderly individuals who may be deficient in vitamin D.When your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D to keep you healthy, this happens.
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Therefore, one of vitamin D’s numerous beneficial effects is that it aids in the body’s absorption of calcium, one of the primary building blocks of bones. Additionally, vitamin D affects your immune, muscular, and neurological systems. There are three ways to get vitamin D: through supplements, food, and the skin. Sunlight exposure causes the body to naturally create vitamin D, but excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancer and aging, therefore many people try to obtain their vitamin D from other sources.
What causes vitamin D deficiency in retirees?
Age has a direct impact on how much vitamin D an individual requires everyday. As a result, the following dosages, expressed in international units (IU), are advised by specialists in this field:
- Birth to 12 months: 400 IU
- Children between one and 13 years of age: 600 IU
- Adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age: 600 IU
- Adults from 19 to 70 years old: 600 IU
- Adults over 71 years of age: 800 IU
- Pregnant and lactating women: 600 IU
This line also implies that those who are more likely to experience a vitamin deficit will require a higher intake than others. This is why it is crucial to consult a professional and have tests done, which will show the condition of the body, how much vitamin D each individual requires, and how to get it. Nonetheless, the following causes might be inferred from the list of potential causes for the body’s lack or insufficiency of this vitamin supplement:
- You do not get enough vitamin D in your diet.
- Not absorbing enough vitamin D from food
- You do not get enough exposure to sunlight
- Your liver or kidneys cannot convert vitamin D into its active form in the body.
- You take medications that interfere with your body s ability to convert or absorb vitamin D.
People at risk for vitamin D deficiency
Numerous research on the topic have demonstrated that certain groups of people are more susceptible than others to experiencing the negative effects and potential consequences of a vitamin deficiency. Consequently, the following individuals are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency:
- Breastfeeding babies, because human milk is not a good source of vitamin D. If you are breastfeeding, give your baby a 400 IU vitamin D supplement every day.
- Older adults, because their skin does not produce vitamin D when they sunbathe as efficiently as when they were young, and their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form
- Dark-skinned people, because they are less able to produce vitamin D from the sun
- People with conditions that make it difficult to absorb nutrients from food, such as Crohn s disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease
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People who have obesity because their body fat binds to some vitamin D and prevents it from entering the bloodstream
People who have had gastric bypass surgery, a type of weight-loss operation that creates a direct pathway to the small intestine.
The shunt makes it more difficult to absorb adequate vitamin D because it is absorbed there.
Chronic liver or renal disease can impair a person’s capacity to transform vitamin D into a form that the body can utilize.Individuals on pharmaceuticals that impact vitamin D levels, such as anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, weight-loss meds, and some cholesterol medications
Last but not least, some foods naturally contain vitamin D, including:
- Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel.
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Mushrooms
- Egg yolk
Additionally, fortified foods like milk, orange juice, soy drinks, and other dairy items like yogurt can provide vitamin D. Nonetheless, vitamin complexes are available for people of all ages to make up for the body’s deficiency in vitamin D, particularly for older people and those over 70.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.