Longitudinal changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in older people

Cross-sectional studies have suggested that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels decline with aging. We have examined this putative decline in a longitudinal study using participants in the New Mexico Aging Process Study. 25OHD levels were measured in participants in whom serum samples were available between 1980 to 1982 and 1989 to 1994 (37 men and 99 women). The available data for these visits included age, gender, and the date the sample was obtained. Questionnaires assessing physical activity and vitamin D intake were administered at the visits. A seasonal variation (r = .25, P < .05) in 25OHD was demonstrated in the whole group of subjects. In 25 subjects who were not receiving vitamin D supplementation at either time and had samples obtained in the same season, both serum 25OHD (P < .05) and physical activity (P < .05) decreased over a mean period of 11.4 years. In 23 subjects who had samples obtained in the same season but used vitamin D supplements at both times, there was no change in serum 25OHD. Mean summer 25OHD levels did not change with the duration of study. On the other hand, the mean serum 25OHD declined with the duration of study when measured from winter to winter or spring to spring. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the month, activity level, vitamin D supplementation, and gender (P < .001) were independent determinants of serum 25OHD levels. This study confirms that aging is associated with a reduction in serum 25OHD, and suggests that this decrease is a reflection of reduced sun exposure rather than aging per se. The reduction in serum 25OHD was the result of decreasing winter and spring 25OHD serum concentrations. It is clear that vitamin D supplementation can prevent the age-related decline in 25OHD levels.