Sun exposure not related to lower vitamin D levels in heavier, older adults

Filed under: Diets

It is well-known that older, heavier adults have lower blood levels of vitamin D. A new study from Tufts shows that a lack of sunshine does not seem to be responsible.

The researchers analyzed information on 381 men and women age 65 or older and found no difference in sun exposure among groups based on body fat percentage. The team did find that those with the highest percentage of body fat had 20 percent lower blood levels of vitamin D.

According to Dr. Susan S. Harris, one explanation could be that vitamin D is getting trapped in fat tissue and therefore not available to the blood. It seems that heavier people may need more vitamin D, whether from the sun or supplements.

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[Source: The Cancer Blog]