Vitamin D-sensitive diseases cause more than half of global deaths. Researcher WB Grant estimates that by doubling the vitamin D levels, the total lifespan could be increased by an average of 2 years, making vitamin D supplementation the most cost-effective method to reduce global mortality.
Research on vitamin D has virtually exploded over the past decade. Now vitamin D is no longer just about the regulation of calcium in the body, but in many different areas, with nearly every cell in the body having a vitamin D receptor.
Human and economic benefits
The types of disease that are susceptible to the body's vitamin D levels are cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory infections, tuberculosis and diabetes. Additionally, Alzheimer's disease falls, meningitis, Parkinson's disease, maternal sepsis, maternal hypertension and multiple sclerosis account for a further 2-3 percent of global deaths.
A doubling of blood vitamin D content of 54 to 110nmol/l is estimated to reduce mortality by approx. 20%. Also, society's economic burden from these diseases is estimated to be reduced by approximately 10%! The average value of 54nmol/l in this study is from the basis of a meta-analysis of vitamin D content in the blood of people worldwide. The reduction in all-cause mortality rates ranges from 7.6% for African females to 17.3% for European females. Reductions for males average 0.6% lower than for females. The estimated increase in life expectancy is 2 years for all regions.
Researchers are generally cautious in their recommendations and usually complete their articles to recommend more research before they dare to recommend their findings put into practice. In this case, Dr. Grant believes that such reservations are unnecessary and will only delay the acceptance of such approach. The reason is that vitamin D is not medicine but a natural, inexpensive product necessary for optimal health. There have been studies concluding that vitamin D only benefits the bones and that blood levels at 50 nmol / l are sufficient. These studies have however been under fire for being inadequate.
Bio-Vitamin D3 Dosage
Dr. Grant mentions several possible methods for raising blood levels of vitamin D. There is food fortification, but this has to adapt to individual communities. You can also encourage people to get more sunlight on their skin, possibly from tanning beds, and finally, vitamin D in the form of supplements can be made more accessible. (In practice, it only requires e.g. 2-3 capsules of 20 ug Bio-Vitamin D3 per day. Ed. Note). Ref. Grant WB. An estimate of the global reduction in mortality rates through doubling vitamin D levels. Eur J Clin Nutr 2011. E-pub. ahead of print.
About Bio-Vitamin D3
Pharma Nord produces Bio-Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) dissolved in cold pressed olive oil to improve absorption. Bio-Vitamin D3 comes in hygienic blister packs and is manufactured to strict Danish pharmaceutical standards
