Good as it is for your health, not even vitamin D can reduce your risk of dying

“Low levels of vitamin D may increase the risk of dying from all causes by 150 per cent, suggests a study with over 700 elderly women.”

This leadoff paragraph from a recent NutraIngredients-USA article confirms two things: 1) the importance of adequate vitamin D intake, and 2) someone at NutraIngredients-USA needs to check their math.

We all have this in common: Our risk of dying is 100 percent. There’s no way you can increase or lower that risk. It’s a done deal.

Of course, a quick look at the study details reveals that among the 700+ women who participated in the research, those with the lowest blood levels of D were more likely to die of heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, or other causes during six years of follow-up.

It’s all about getting that time frame right.

In addition, subjects who raised their blood levels of vitamin D during the study increased their survival rates. Again – that’s “during the study.” Long-term, all of those women have the same rates of survival.

Longevity? That’s another story. If longevity is something you’re interested in pursuing, ask your doctor if vitamin D is right for you.

Source:
“Low Vitamin D Levels Again Linked to Higher Death Risk” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 9/25/09, nutraingredients-usa.com