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PERTH, AUSTRALIA. Several studies have shown that many older
Australians, especially those that are housebound or in nursing
homes, have a vitamin D deficiency. This is often accompanied by
secondary hyperparathyroidism which in turn is a potent risk
factor for osteoporosis. Medical scientists at the Royal Perth
Hospital now report that low vitamin D levels may be more
widespread than originally believed. Their study involved 197
people (99 men and 98 women) who donated blood between August and
November 1998. The donors were between the ages of 18 and 76
years with half being under 60 years of age.
The scientists discovered that 63 donors (34 per cent) had a serum
level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) below 50 nmol/L. The presence
of a deficiency was not related to age. They also found that 19
out of 20 donors diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism had 25D levels
below 50 nmol/L. They suggest that levels below 50 nmol/L
increase the risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism and therefore
osteoporosis. The scientists speculate that the campaign linking
skin cancer to sun exposure is contributing to the prevalence of
vitamin D deficiency because people are now shunning the sun.
They conclude that vitamin D deficiency may be widespread and not
just limited to institutionalized and housebound older people and
that supplementation with vitamin D may have beneficial effects on
a large proportion of the population.
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