Madam, - Our miserable summer weather has been blamed for everything from the poor state of the economy to disappointing sporting performances and attendances; but an overlooked consequence of the past few dark and dreary months is the drop in our levels of Vitamin D, especially among older citizens.
Exposure to sunlight is an important source of vitamin D because ultraviolet rays trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. In addition, poor dietary consumption of Vitamin D-rich foods in this country is well recognised and research from Dr J.B. Walsh et al. in St James's Hospital has shown that the majority of older citizens are deficient in this essential nutrient.
Large-scale studies from the UK, US and elsewhere have shown that a lack of Vitamin D is associated with an increased risk of falls and hip fractures among the elderly. Conversely, use of Vitamin D supplements may significantly reduce the risk of falls and fractures particularly among older women, through a combination of increased muscle strength and bone integrity.
I suggest, therefore that your older readers in particular should strongly consider taking Vitamin D supplements, ideally in consultation with their GPs, and that the habit should be continued indefinitely pending the arrival of the sunnier summers promised by the effects of global warming.
- Yours, etc,
Dr DERMOT POWER, Consultant Geriatrician, Mater Misericordiae and St Mary's Hospitals, Eccles Street, Dublin 7.