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Cited by 189Vitamin D Research StudiesNutrition and Health StudiesSkin Protection and Aging

The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult

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Meehan, Meghan, Penckofer, Sue·2014·Journal of Aging and Gerontology
DOI 10.12974/2309-6128.2014.02.02.1PMC PMC4399494
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Abstract

The number of individuals aged 65 and older is expected to more than double from 2012 to 2060. The role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with aging has not been well studied. Traditionally, the role of vitamin D focused on the maintenance of skeletal health in the older adult. With the discovery of vitamin D receptors in the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, the role of vitamin D and its impact on these systems has become an important area of research. Older adults are at risk for lower levels of vitamin D as a result of decreased cutaneous synthesis and dietary intake of vitamin D. Epidemiologic evidence indicates an association between low levels of vitamin D and diseases associated with aging such as cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Clinical trials to determine the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in preventing and treating such diseases are in progress. This paper highlights current evidence regarding the role that vitamin D may play in diseases associated with aging and addresses the need for well-designed randomized trials to examine its benefit on health outcomes in the older adult.

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  • Vitamin D supports bone health and immune function, while B vitamins (B6, B12, folate) contribute to homocysteine metabolism, reducing cardiovascular and cognitive risks.

    “Vitamin D supports bone health, and immune function, while B vitamins (B6, B12, folate) contribute to homocysteine metabolism, reducing cardiovascular and cognitive risks.”

    From The Power of Environment: A Comprehensive Review of the Exposome's Role in Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Preventive Medicine-Lessons from Blue Zones and Cilento (2025) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Osteoporosis section says vitamin D supports skeletal health, and the Immune Function section says it helps regulate immune responses (page numbers unavailable). The paper does not address B6, B12, folate, or homocysteine metabolism, so it does not support the attributed claim that those vitamins reduce cardiovascular and cognitive risks. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Magnesium is essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair, while iron and copper are critical for red blood cell production and mitochondrial function.

    “Magnesium is essential for energy metabolism and DNA repair, while iron and copper are critical for red blood cell production and mitochondrial function [70,71].”

    From The Power of Environment: A Comprehensive Review of the Exposome's Role in Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Preventive Medicine-Lessons from Blue Zones and Cilento (2025) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Introduction and Conclusion discuss vitamin D and aging, not the claimed functions of magnesium, iron, or copper. Searches for those minerals, DNA repair, red blood cell production, and mitochondrial function found no passage in our copy addressing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc protect cells from oxidative damage.

    “Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc protect cells from oxidative damage.”

    From The Power of Environment: A Comprehensive Review of the Exposome's Role in Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Preventive Medicine-Lessons from Blue Zones and Cilento (2025) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Cancer section says vitamin D may inhibit oxidative stress, but it does not discuss vitamins C or E, selenium, or zinc protecting cells from oxidative damage. Searches for the named nutrients and antioxidants found no passage addressing the claim; page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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References 72 · Cited by 189

Research works printed but not linked: 60

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Authors
Meehan, M., & Penckofer, S.
Affiliations
Loyola University Chicago (US)
ORCID
Penckofer, Sue
Venue
Journal of Aging and Gerontology
Publisher
Savvy Science Publisher
Published
2014-07-25
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
60-71
ISSN
2309-6128 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.12974/2309-6128.2014.02.02.1
PMC
PMC4399494
OpenAlex
W1982863387
Cited by
189
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2
FWCI
3.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Aging and Gerontology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
National Institute of Nursing Research (R01NR013906)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
Keywords
vitamin D, aging, older adults, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D receptor, cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancer, vitamin D supplementation, skeletal health

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