Too Little Vitamin D May Hasten Disability as You Age

Older people with vitamin D deficiency may struggle with daily physical activities such as dressing or climbing stairs, a new study shows. It's estimated that as many as 90 percent of older people are vitamin D-deficient. The vitamin, usually absorbed through sunlight or diet, plays a key role in bone and muscle health, and a deficiency can lead to reduced bone density, muscle weakness, osteoporosis and broken bones. The study included more than 1,300 people, aged 55 to 88, in the Netherlands who were followed for six years. Participants' vitamin D levels were checked and they were asked about their ability to do routine tasks, such as sitting down and standing up from a chair or walking outside for five minutes without resting. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_138798.html