Vitamin D supplementation in elderly subjects: Why? When? How?

Vitamin D deficiency is reported in young and older adults. However, elderly persons represent an important target for supplementation. First, aging of the skin reduces vitamin D synthesis. Second, lifestyle or dependency results in low sun exposure. More importantly, the effect of vitamin D deficiency may become more rapidly apparent in aging subjects with poorer bone and muscle reserve. Interventional studies that have shown positive clinical results of vitamin D supplementation have been conducted in aging subjects. Vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of fracture and falls in the elderly, costs little, and this could have a major impact on public health. It is recommended to systematically supplement all elderly persons with vitamin D, with doses ranging from 800 to 1000UI/day, either daily or 80,000 to 100,000 UI every 2-3 months. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.