Seasonal diminution of vitamin D stores in the United States. Can darker winters lead to lighter bones?
Recent reports indicate that many older Americans have inadequate vitamin D sources and little to no seasonal increase in their body stores. The attendant secondary hyperparathyroidism of incipient and subtle osteomalacia could weaken cortical bone and aggravate the osteoporotic process linked to aging. Increased awareness, by physicians and our elderly, of the importance of avoiding mild, seasonal or perennial vitamin D deficiency could lead to better implementation of vitamin D supplementation schedules.
Haddad
J G
JG
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6149, USA.