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Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 March 2024) | Viewed by 23466

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Prof. Dr. Stefano Gonnelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Medicine Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Interests: aging; osteoporosis; sarcopenia; osteosarcopenia diagnosis; vitamin D; cardiac calcifications; diabetes; fragility fractures

Dr. Ligia J. Dominguez

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Co-Guest Editor

Geriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 141, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: nutrition; aging; type 2 diabetes; Alzheimer; cardiovascular disease
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Dear Colleagues,

There is currently a growing awareness that nutritional factors have major impacts on the risk of age-associated chronic non-communicable diseases and mortality. In fact, adult or elderly individuals with inadequate dietary calcium intake or insufficient vitamin D levels have an increased risk of sarcopenia and osteoporosis as a result of the deterioration of musculoskeletal health. Therefore, most older individuals should benefit from vitamin D and calcium supplementation. However, the supplementation with calcium alone produces only a slight reduction in fracture risk, particularly in the elderly. Instead, several studies have shown that vitamin D, when combined with calcium and an adequate compliance, significantly decreases the incidence of hip fractures and other fragility fractures, especially in subjects over the age of 70 and in institutionalized ones. In the elderly, vitamin D supplementations may improve muscle function and decrease the risks of falling. Moreover, Vitamin D may have biological effects well beyond the skeleton, and several studies support an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of dementia, diabetes, cancer and infectious diseases. Further well-designed studies are needed to better define the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of these diseases in the elderly.

Prof. Dr. Stefano Gonnelli
Dr. Ligia J. Dominguez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

calcium
vitamin D
micronutrients
vitamin
mineral
osteoporosis
bone
aging
sarcopenia
elderly
geriatric
old age
frailty

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study of Healthy Older and Younger Adults Shows They Have the Same Skin Concentration of Vitamin D₃ Precursor, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, and Similar Response to UVR

by Oktawia Borecka, John J. Dutton, Jonathan C. Y. Tang, William D. Fraser, Ann R. Webb and Lesley E. Rhodes

Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081147 - 12 Apr 2024

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Abstract

Vitamin D₃ synthesis in human skin is initiated by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), but influence of age on the early stage of vitamin D₃ metabolism is uncertain. We performed a prospective standardised study in healthy ambulant adults aged ≥65 and ≤40 years examining (1) if baseline skin 7DHC concentration differs between younger and older adults and (2) the impact of older age on serum vitamin D₃ response to solar simulated UVR. Eleven younger (18–40 years) and 10 older (65–89 years) adults, phototype I–III, received low-dose UVR (95% UVA, 5% UVB, 1.3 SED) to ~35% of the body surface area. Biopsies were taken for 7DHC assay from unexposed skin, skin immediately and 24 h post-UVR, and blood sampled at baseline, 24 h and 7 d post-UVR for vitamin D₃ assay. Samples were analysed by HPLC-MS/MS. Baseline skin 7DHC (mean ± SD) was 0.22 ± 0.07 and 0.25 ± 0.08 µg/mg in younger versus older adults (no significant difference). Baseline serum vitamin D₃ concentration was 1.5 ± 1.5 and 1.5 ± 1.7 nmol/L in younger versus older adults, respectively, and showed a significant increase in both groups post-UVR (no significant differences between age groups). Thus, skin 7DHC concentration was not a limiting factor for vitamin D₃ production in older relative to younger adults. This information assists public health guidance on sun exposure/vitamin D nutrition, with particular relevance to the growing populations of healthy ambulant adults ≥65 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans)

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14 pages, 2188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vitamin D Status among Patients Admitted to a Geriatric Ward—Are Recommendations for Preventing Its Deficiency Effective Enough?

by Maksymilian Adam Lech, Marcin Warpechowski, Aleksandra Wojszel, Justyna Rentflejsz, Marta Świętek and Zyta Beata Wojszel

Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020193 - 6 Jan 2024

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Abstract

Despite a decade of available recommendations aimed at preventing vitamin D (VD) deficiency in Poland, the efficacy of these measures among community-dwelling older individuals remains inconsistent. The PolSenior2 study provided valuable insights into VD status among community-dwelling older individuals in Poland. However, it is important to note that this research did not include the elderly living in care institutions. Therefore, our study concentrates on evaluating VD status in older patients admitted to a geriatrics ward to indirectly assess their adherence to existing recommendations and preventive actions in this particular setting (whether they translate into health-promoting behaviors (i.e., taking vitamin D supplements) and whether the recommended, optimal 25(OH)D concentration values are achieved). This approach offers a comprehensive understanding of VD status in a previously understudied population. We aimed to evaluate VD status in patients aged 70 and above within the geriatrics ward, exploring its association with age, sex, BMI, and the use of VD supplements. The study involved the measurement of serum VD concentration in 240 individuals. Of these participants, 177 (73.8%) were women, and 193 (80.4%) were over 75 years old. The median 25(OH)D concentration was found to be 22.95 (IQR, 13.7–33.0) ng/mL. Notably, profound deficiency (<10 ng/mL) was noted in 15% of the participants, while 67.5% exhibited VD inadequacy (<30 ng/mL). It is worth mentioning that only 18.3% of individuals took VD supplements preadmission. Insufficiency was more prevalent in nonsupplemented individuals (70.9% vs. 52.3%, p = 0.02) and those with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² (76.2% vs. 59.2%, p = 0.007). The logistic regression model demonstrated that obese patients had over two times higher odds of VD inadequacy (OR = 2.21, p = 0.0074), as did nonsupplemented individuals (OR = 2.23, p = 0.0187). The high prevalence of VD deficiency and inadequacy in geriatric ward admissions emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions and enhanced education for older adults, caregivers, and physicians to improve adherence to preventive supplementation practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans)

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10 pages, 825 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Calcium Intake and Osteoporosis Risk in Arab Adults

by Nasser M. Al-Daghri, Syed Danish Hussain, Abdullah M. Alnaami, Naji Aljohani and Shaun Sabico

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2829; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132829 - 21 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia’s aging population. There is particularly limited information on how diet affects bone loss in this ethnic group. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between dietary calcium (Ca) intake and osteoporosis risk in Saudi adults. A total of 1950 patients (416 males and 1534 females) with known risk factors for osteoporosis participated in this cross-sectional study. A short questionnaire (CaQ) was used to assess dietary Ca intakes in patients attending tertiary hospitals in Riyadh City. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 21.3% and was more common in females (93.5%). Patients with osteoporosis were older (p < 0.001) and had lower BMI (p < 0.001). Results showed that the overall mean Ca intake was only 445.1 mg/day (recommended dietary intake of 1300 mg/day). Tea intake (OR = 0.8 95%CI: 0.7–1.0; p = 0.02) and consumption of fish and eggs (OR = 0.9 95%CI: 0.8–1.0; p = 0.01) were significantly associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis. Furthermore, consumption of biscuits, cake and bread slices were significantly associated with higher incidence of osteoporosis (OR = 1.3 95%CI: 1.0–1.5; p = 0.02). In conclusion, extremely low dietary Ca intake was observed among Saudi adults already at risk of osteoporosis. A balanced diet including high amount of Ca, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids accompanied by limiting consumption of foods high in saturated fats and glycemic index may be helpful in reducing osteoporosis risk in the Saudi adult population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans)

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Review

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26 pages, 778 KiB

Open AccessReview

Targeting the Hallmarks of Aging with Vitamin D: Starting to Decode the Myth

by Carmelinda Ruggiero, Laura Tafaro, Luisella Cianferotti, Flavia Tramontana, Ilaria Giovanna Macchione, Carla Caffarelli, Agostino Virdis, Marika Ferracci, Giuseppe Rinonapoli, Patrizia Mecocci, Nicola Napoli and Valeria Calsolaro

Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060906 - 21 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Aging is the result of several complex and multifactorial processes, where several agents contribute to an increased intrinsic vulnerability and susceptibility to age-related diseases. The hallmarks of aging are a set of biological mechanisms that are finely regulated and strictly interconnected, initiating or contributing to biological changes and anticipating several age-related diseases. The complex network of cellular and intercellular connections between the hallmarks might represent a possible target for the research of agents with pleiotropic effects. Vitamin D (VitD) is known to have a positive impact not only on muscle and bone health but also on several extra-skeletal districts, due to the widespread presence of Vitamin D Receptors (VDRs). VitD and VDR could be molecules potentially targeting the hallmarks of the aging network. To date, evidence about the potential effects of VitD on the hallmarks of aging is scarce in humans and mainly based on preclinical models. Although underpowered and heterogeneous, in-human studies seem to confirm the modulatory effect of VitD on some hallmarks of aging and diseases. However, more investigations are needed to clarify the pleiotropic effects of VitD and its impact on the hallmark of aging, hopefully highlighting the courses for translational applications and potential clinical conclusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans)

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Other

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9 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Vitamin D Status in Belgian Children: A Regional Study

by Louise Van de Walle, Yvan Vandenplas, Jaan Toelen and Anke Raaijmakers

Nutrients 2024, 16(5), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050657 - 26 Feb 2024

Viewed by 722

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is the most frequent cause of impaired skeletal growth, and can lead to the development of nutritional rickets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status in a large group of children aged 0–18 years. Methods: We collected laboratory data on vitamin D levels from children who underwent blood sampling between 2014 and 2021. Results: We included 14,887 samples. In this group, 17.7% were vitamin D severely deficient (<12 ng/mL), 25.2% were insufficient (12–20 ng/mL), and another large proportion (28.3%) was borderline (20–30 ng/mL). Sufficient levels (>30 ng/mL) were met in 28.8% of children. We observed no association between gender and vitamin D status (p = 0.132). Adolescents aged 13–18 years (n = 3342) had the highest prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency (24.9%). Vitamin D levels were higher in summer/autumn compared to winter/spring. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency has a high prevalence in children, mostly in children above 7 years of age. Many of these children (over 80%) do not meet the 30 ng/mL sufficiency threshold. It is essential that Belgian Health Authorities are aware of this high prevalence, as the current Belgian recommendation suggests ceasing vitamin D supplementation at the age of six. Additional research is required to investigate the consequences of our findings, and what specific approach is needed to achieve normal vitamin D levels in children aged 0 to 18 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium, Vitamin D and Aging in Humans)

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