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Article: Study finds vitamin D deficiency common among older Americans
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- March 18, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Associated Press. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Associated Press. (Hide copyright information)
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DANIEL Q. HANEY AP Medical Editor
AP Online
03-18-1998
BOSTON (AP) _ Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common among older people, and even a daily multivitamin may not provide enough of this nutrient to protect them against bone fractures and other ills, researchers say.
A study of patients at a Boston hospital found that more than half had too little vitamin D in their bodies.
``Vitamin D deficiency is much more common that most people had anticipated,'' said Dr. Joel S. Finkelstein, a co-author of the study.
The body makes vitamin D naturally from exposure to sunlight. However, people who stay inside a lot, especially in the winter, may not produce enough vitamin D to keep ...