Rehab

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to a decline in physical health

Rehab Regs, May 11, 2007

A recent study found that older adults who don't get enough Vitamin D may increase their risk for poor physical performance, according to an American Physical Therapy Association press release. The study conducted by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that physical performance and grip strength were 5% to 10% lower in participants with low levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D can come from diets and from exposure to the sun. Those with low levels of vitamin D lose some of the vitamins benefits such as protecting against diabetes, cancer, colds, and tuberculosis. The 976 participants completed physical performance tests of the walking speed, ability to stand from a chair, and ability to maintain their balance in progressively more challenging positions, according to the press release.

Most Popular

Related Articles