Osteoporosis Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is being recognized as a growing problem in people who are at risk for osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, over 60 million Americans, 41 million of them women, will have either osteoporosis or low bone mass by the year 2020. Vitamin D deficiency also appears to be linked to certain cancers, periodontal disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (Nutrition Action, November 2007).

If you take calcium supplements, you should probably also take vitamin D, unless you are getting plenty of sunshine. Calcium uses up vitamin D, so if you are taking calcium in pills you should probably also take a vitamin D supplement. If you are not sure that you are getting enough vitamin D from sunlight or food, ask your doctor to do a blood test to check your vitamin D level. More