Benefits Of Vitamin D For Seniors
Orchard at Athens is dedicated to helping our residents stay healthy and happy throughout their life. We offer a wide variety of ways to maintain health that meets each individual’s lifestyle. The staff at Orchard is current on the latest news and research in senior health in order to help their residents live their best life.
We invite you to come visit and see the large outdoor green space provided at Orchard. One of the reasons this space was designed to allow our residents to enjoy the outdoors and sunshine. The human body makes vitamin D when in direct sunlight and residents will be encouraged to spend time outside every day.
Benefits of Vitamin D For Seniors
- Improved Sleep
- Maintaining healthy bones
- Regulation of insulin levels
- Improvement in cognitive health
- Help with Osteomalacia
- Reduction of Osteoporosis
- Boosts mood
- Improvement in heart health
Getting more vitamin D can help improve sleep which can result in waking up more refreshed and focused and it increases the bodies ability to absorb Calcium, which is vital to bone health. Studies show increased vitamin D can help reduce Osteoporosis by slowing bone mineral loss which reduces bone fractures. And new research suggests that vitamin D, especially when taken with calcium, might help prevent certain cancers.
There are many other health benefits that are not as commonly known such as improving insulin sensitivity. This happens because vitamin D helps the body absorb and use sugar and glucose as energy instead of storing it as fat. Early research suggests that vitamin D might play a role in cognitive health. In one small study of adults age 60 years and older being treated for dementia, researchers found that taking a vitamin D supplement helped improve cognitive function.
Daily outdoor doses of vitamin D can improve energy levels and therefore improve mood. One study showed that a deficiency in vitamin D could increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease as well as hypertension. It appears to be able to reduce inflammation, to combat arterial plaque and generally to encourage health and normal blood flow.
Ways For Seniors To Increase Vitamin D Levels
Wondering how you can increase your vitamin D levels? Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Spend time outside in direct sunlight taking walks, gardening, or just sitting in the sun for limited time periods. It’s also important to remember to stay hydrated when out in the sun for any length of time.
- Vitamin D isn’t found in many foods; however, you can get it from fortified milk, fortified cereal, and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines.
- Taking a vitamin D supplement. However, we recommend you consult with your physician or a healthcare professional when choosing.
Please contact us to learn more about our community or to schedule a tour.
