Older adults that are severely deficient in vitamin D have twice the risk of respiratory disease as those with the highest vitamin D levels, according to new research from University College London. Respiratory disease includes cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, pneumonia, influenza, lung cancer, bronchiolitis and tuberculosis.

The study, published in the Journal of American Geriatrics, examined 2,070 adults age 65 and older that took part in the Health Survey for England 2005. Those with vitamin D levels less than 35 nmol/L (14 ng/ml) had twice the risk of respiratory disease than those with levels greater than 64 nmol/L (25.6 ng/ml). Even those with moderate deficiency, defined as 35-48.9 nmol/L (14-19.9 ng/ml), had 1.75 times the risk of respiratory disease after adjustment with covariates.

The study concluded that:

“Low serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with respiratory disease. Ensuring adequate 25(OH)D levels is of public health importance for older populations living in northern latitudes and may be an effective way to prevent concurrent respiratory infections and related complications in older people.”

Click here to view the study.

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