[PHNUTR-L] Most older women deficient in vitamin D

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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Most older women deficient in vitamin D

By Dominique Patton

http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=62918&m=1fne930&c=xeiqgoegavfxtla

30/09/2005 - Almost two thirds of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis 
are deficient in vitamin D, said researchers this week.

Their results, based on a study conducted in 18 countries and during two 
seasons, underline the need for further communication by health 
officials and doctors of the need for this vitamin.

"Results suggest that vitamin D inadequacy is widespread among women 
with osteoporosis across all continents,” noted the international team, 
led by Paul Lips from the Vrije Universiteit Medical Center in Amsterdam.

“In this cross-sectional sample, the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy 
is high regardless of latitude or season.”

The findings were presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral 
Research (ASBMR) meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.

Both Denmark and the UK have recently launched campaigns to encourage 
women to take vitamin D supplements. The vitamin is known to be crucial 
to strong bones but is difficult to get enough from the diet.

In the study, researchers recruited 2589 postmenopausal women with 
osteoporosis living in 18 countries across Europe, the Middle East, 
Latin America, and the Asia Pacific region.

Of the group, 37 per cent reported taking at least 400 IU daily of 
vitamin D supplements, and 60 per cent reported taking prescription 
medication for osteoporosis.

The researchers obtained the women's serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels 
and also measured the parathyroid hormone. They asked the subjects to 
complete questionnaires on factors that could influence vitamin D status.

The overall prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 64 per cent, or 59 
per cent for those women recruited during summer and 69 per cent for 
those recruited during winter.

Vitamin D inadequacy was defined as less than 30 ng/mL.

“The reesults underscore a need to improve physician and patient 
awareness of the importance of adequate vitamin D supplementation in 
postmenopausal women with osteoporosis,” concluded the authors' abstract.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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