Studies have shown that vitamin D reduces the risk of developing dementia. A joint research team from the University of Calgary, Canada, and the University of Exeter, UK Brain Institute followed 12,000 elderly people with high rates of dementia for 10 years. Compared to the control group who took no vitamin D, the number of dementia cases was 40% lower. The results were published in the international journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia Journal’.
A study has been published that vitamin D, which is good for bone health and immunity, is also effective in preventing dementia. ㅣ Source: Getty Image Bank
The rate of vitamin D deficiency increased by 185% in 5 years
Vitamin D is synthesized in the body through sunlight. It is called the ‘bone vitamin’ or ‘immune vitamin’ as it is involved in bone formation by helping to absorb calcium and promotes immune response by transmitting cell signals. Recently, it has been discovered that tens of trillions of cells in our body continue to use vitamin D. It acts as oxygen for cells.
As such, it is an essential nutrient for the human body, but the rate of vitamin D deficiency in Korea is gradually increasing. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in 2022, the number of patients with vitamin D deficiency in Korea increased from 86,285 in 2017 to 247,077 in 2021. When the vitamin D blood level standard is 20ng/ml, 75.2% of males and 82.5% of females in Korea are vitamin D deficient. At 30ng/ml, 83% of males and 88% of females are deficient.
Increased risk of chronic diseases and immune system abnormalities
Vitamin D deficiency not only increases the risk of chronic and autoimmune diseases, but also causes symptoms such as muscle pain, osteoporosis, depression, sleep disorders, weight gain, chronic fatigue, and asthma. A recent study found that vitamin D deficiency worsens the risk and severity of COVID-19.
Seoul National University Bundang Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professor Lim Su’s research team conducted a study to more clearly explain the role and mechanism of vitamin D in COVID-19 by covering all studies that show a close relationship between vitamin D and the rate of infection and the severity of the infection. of COVID-19. As a result, the lower the vitamin D concentration in the blood, the higher the risk and severity of COVID-19, and adding vitamin D reduces the positive rate of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Check your blood levels and take the right amount of vitamin D
Modern people who are active indoors have fewer opportunities to synthesize vitamin D through sunlight. To maintain an appropriate blood vitamin D concentration based on healthy adults, it is recommended to consume 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D per day. In case of deficiency, 1,000 to 5,000 IU is recommended. However, caution should be exercised when taking more than 10,000 IU of vitamin D every day, because the blood vitamin D concentration may exceed the standard of 100 ng/ml.
Many experts say that vitamin D deficiency can be prevented with food and nutritional supplements, stressing that the blood level is just as important as the dose. Even if the same amount is taken, the blood level may be different for each person due to the difference in the absorption rate. If you take vitamin D arbitrarily without knowing your own blood level, it is difficult to maintain an appropriate level (30ng/ml to 100ng/ml).
To determine your blood vitamin D level, you need to have a ‘vitamin D test’. It is a test to determine the concentration of vitamin D in the body by sampling blood, and is less demanding as it can be taken without special preparation such as fasting.
It is recommended to check the vitamin D level regularly and consult the attending physician to properly supplement vitamin D in the form of functional health food. Among different products, the D3 form, which is synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight, is better, and nutritional supplements with calcium and magnesium can increase the efficiency of intake. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, and magnesium affects vitamin D activation.
When is Vitamin D Testing Needed?
According to national insurance standards, vitamin D testing is recommended approximately twice a year at 3 to 6 month intervals. It is good to take it in March, when vitamin D levels are low, and in September, when they are at their highest. Compare the values of the two periods and adjust the dose of nutrients.
A vitamin D test is essential when you need to keep your blood vitamin D level higher than normal. Representative examples include women in their 50s or older who have had cancer surgery or are prone to osteoporosis due to menopause, and those in their 70s and older who are losing strength in their stomach and legs due to muscle weak
In addition, as vitamin D is linked to growth retardation, it is recommended that children in their growing years are also tested. In the case of a fetus, a lack of vitamin D in a nursing mother can cause rickets, so pregnant women should be tested beforehand to make their vitamin D levels normal. In addition, asthma patients, if you are susceptible to the usual immune disease, it is good to have a test.
On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the appropriate blood level of vitamin D is as follows.
▲ Less than 10ng/ml: Severe deficiency
▲ Less than 20ng/ml: Deficiency
▲ Less than 30ng/ml: Insufficient
▲ 30ng/ml ~ 100ng/ml: Normal
▲ More than 100ng/ml: be careful
▲ 150ng/ml or more: toxicity may occur
