Jun

2012

3:50pm, EDT

Can taking vitamin D and calcium help you live longer?

By Susan E. Matthews
MyHealthNewsDaily

Older people who take vitamin D supplements along with calcium may live longer than others, according to a new review of previous studies.

The researchers looked at data regarding the vitamin D intake of more than 70,000 adults in their 60s and 70s. They found that people who took vitamin D, along with calcium supplements, were 9 percent less likely to die over a three-year period, compared with people who took neither supplement.

However, they found that taking vitamin D alone had no effect on mortality rates.

For every 151 people who took with daily vitamin D and calcium for three years, one life would be spared, according to the researchers' calculations.

The finding comes on the heels of several studies with conflicting results about the health benefits of vitamin D, including its possible effects on longevity. The new review is the largest of its kind, and included eight randomized controlled trials, said study leader Lars Rejnmark, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. Such trials are considered the strongest type of scientific evidence.

The study confirms researchers' suspicions that vitamin D may increase longevity, said Dr. Philippe Autier of the International Prevention Research Institute, who was not involved in the review.

Study participants were generally older people with health conditions, and possibly had inadequate nutrition. Therefore, it’s “not guaranteed that anyone in good health who takes these vitamins would increase life expectancy,” Autier said.

In the review, the researchers found that 5.5 percent of the 35,412 people who didn't take vitamin D or calcium died during the study period, whereas 5.3 percent of the 35,116 people who took vitamin D died.

Taking vitamin D, with or without calcium, had a significant effect on mortality rates only after three years; mortality rates were not significantly different among those taking the vitamin after one or two years, according to the study.

Vitamin D and calcium are important throughout life, because of their role in bone health, Rejnmark said. But he recommends people start paying particular attention to their intake "around menopause for women, and around the age of 50 for men."

While the review was based on studies of people who took supplements, Rejnmark said he does not believe the benefits would be any different for people who get the nutrients through food.

Autier noted that the greatest source of vitamin D is what the skin makes naturally when it is exposed to sunlight. People with darker skin tones, who are less able to produce vitamin D in response to sunlight, should consider supplements as a viable option, he said.

A total of 87 percent of the studies' participants were female, but Rejnmark said this had no bearing on the results, and vitamin D and calcium are equally beneficial to both sexes in terms of preserving longevity.

Explore related topics: featured, supplements, longevity, vitamin-d, calcium

MrKnowItAll-2964592

SWAG work again!

#1 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:35 PM EDT

usa2011

Beyond amusing. Just yesterday I read an article stating women should NOT take extra calcium and vitamin D because their risk of kidneys stones outweighs any bone building benefits... So I guess you have a choice, possibly live longer, get kidneys stones,or break bones, or maybe just wait until tomorrow because there may be another study. I think most people are getting tired of a new study every other day that conflicts with another recent research study.

2 votes

#2 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:25 PM EDT

Laurali

did you catch the ages?

you said "women"...

this was a study of the elderly

it did NOT advise anyone to take anything. unlike the study you site, seemingly. It reports results. WIth this group of people...Vit D ? with? without (see my perplexed pov post below) mattered.

They also say most of these people had health problems and may not have had adequate intakes of vitamins/D etc so it couldn't be extrapolated to other people

such as you

it is not contradictory. People think scientific advice is always contradictory. Sometimes it is but less so than people think

you have to look at the details, who was studied. Precise details.

#2.1 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:27 PM EDT

Laurali

The problem is largely with the irregularities in the reporting of science. It is a problem. Because each time something is reported enough context is not given.

They need to say when no recommendations are given. like here!

it's not meant to be advice. IT is a interesting result pointing in a direction. That is what science is like. Things are uncovered study by study.

I think people like perhaps you are ...mistake it for a CONCLUSSION. it is not a conclussion. If as you said the other thing you read had a recommendation THAT IS DIFFERENT

this has no recommendation on what to do.

I think the way science is reported confuses people. Science itself just cranks out its research results until there is enough of a consensus on one topic to reach a conclussion.

1 vote

#2.2 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

2Smokey

I take several vitamins because I have little faith in food value -- and, being in my 70s, would prefer to stay mobile for the rest of my life, and not end up helpless in a nursing home, as I am a busy person and enjoy doing things and feel like my overall health is important... My doctors encourage my taking vitamins and supplements..

5 votes

#3 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 9:45 PM EDT

Laurali

good for you

stay strong, and you will bounce back from injuries, or do so better, then those who don't

#3.1 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:31 PM EDT

carolart

I agree. I have been taking Calcium/Vitamin D since my early 40's, on the recommendation of my doctor. My most recent DEXA (bone density) scan showed bone density values equivalent to a woman in her 20's.

1 vote

#3.2 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:59 AM EDT

scmaize

carolart--Amazing! However, while you say you've been taking it since your early 40's, you don't say how many years you've been taking it. Many women start losing bone before menopause, but most of the loss seems to be after menopause.

#3.3 - Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:07 PM EDT

Laurali

Is it me or is this illogical/contradictory?

"However, they found that taking vitamin D alone had no effect on mortality rates.....

Taking vitamin D, with or without calcium, had a significant effect on mortality rates only after three years;..."

which is it people?

does VIt D alone "without calcium" have a significant effect OR does it have NO effect...on mortality rates.

Truly, I am now left completely perplexed as to what was learned in this research. And no, I don't think it was the scientists.

I hate sloppy science reporting. words matter.

do we need to take calcium with are D? is it useless to take D without calcium according to this research? MSNBC reporting leaves us in the dark

ergh

1 vote

#4 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:24 PM EDT

James-4436154

Worry not. this is basically just Data mining, hence the perceived paradox, all the data really shows is that people who take both tend to live longer, it doesn't try to figure out just what mechanism is at work here, thus it sounds contradictory when that might not be the case.

the scientific method starts at an observation... that's what this is... some data point that can be investigated.

#4.1 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:33 PM EDT

deb-3232690

It's a proven fact if you don't die early, you will live longer.

100% of the people I called, agreed with me.

From your peanut factory of knowledge

#5 - Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:20 PM EDT

Steve-777888

Life is the leading cause of death. I too get a bit tired of all the studies that point to one thing, only a few years later to take it back. A few years ago, the antioxidants, C & E sounded so great - now they say those do nothing when taken in larger doses. In my limited knowledge, from reading the articles, it seems Vit D is the last of these "really good things" that hasn't been shown to be useless except that you must have at least a little of it.

I'll keep taking the Vit D and calcium until that next article comes out showing they don't do anything. You just have to go with the best knowledge at the time.

#6 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:12 AM EDT

JCA-1829090

The question should be, can taking these supplements make you healthier - nothing can 'make you live longer' - we all die eventaully regardless of our health, so you can take whatever pills Big Pharma is pushing and still get hit by a bus.

#7 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:04 AM EDT

fsilber

African Americans should consider exposing the back of their calves to the sun to generate vitamin D. (They shouldn't expose their faces, because that might make them darker.)

#8 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:11 AM EDT

CBLinRaleigh

All of a sudden millions of people (including myself) need more Vitamin D.

What's up with that?

#9 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:26 AM EDT

roamwhereiwant2-6189784

This is typical poor reporting. Did anybody notice that the vitamin D dosage wasn't mentioned? If the study dosed at a typical 400 IU (current RDA), then the results are mostly worthless. If researchers used 2000 IU and tested blood levels to determine whether D3 levels were normal (about 60-70 ng/ml) then the study might have meaningful results.

It's not all of a sudden, it's been well known for years that vitamin D intake is inadequate. The RDA is going to increase and D3 blood level testing is standard. Low levels of vitamin D are correlated to several diseases including breast cancer.

#10 - Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:51 PM EDT

Michelle Chassvia Facebook

Optimized vitamin d levels will surely help you live longer. Many health experts believe that vitamin d is important to our health and it is linked in so many diseases. If you want to know more, I suggest you read this article -

#11 - Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:03 AM EDT

One body. One mind. That's what each of us gets to last a lifetime. Get the critical news and views to keep yours healthy, sharp -- and safe.

Can taking vitamin D and calcium help you live longer?

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