Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Vitamin D deficiency may be even more important; a
study from Amsterdam shows that 64 percent of postmenopausal
women with osteoporosis lack vitamin D. A woman's bones are
strongest when she is 20; you lose bone continuously over your
lifetime until at 90, virtually all women have osteoporosis. Only
recently have doctors become aware of this high rate of vitamin
D deficiency which weakens bones. Very few people meet their
needs for vitamin D from food; the most important source is
sunlight. Still, during summer when sunlight is abundant, the
prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 59 percent; during
winter it was 69 percent. Warnings about skin cancers from
sunlight exposure may have increased risk for osteoporosis.
This study, presented at the 2005 annual meeting of the
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, shows that
postmenopausal women should get blood tests for vitamin D,
and those with low levels should get more sunlight or take
vitamin D supplements. Neither calcium nor vitamin D
supplements are effective as treatments for osteoporosis; check
with your doctor about the bone-strengthening medications.
May 1, 2006