12/29/2025
Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Reduced life Expectancy
By: Steve Born
A recent study [1] affirmed the association between insufficient or deficient vitamin D levels and decreased life expectancy compared with healthy levels of vitamin D.
*** Background: “Vitamin D deficiency is prevailing worldwide and is linked to multiple diseases; however, its association with premature mortality remains unknown in the US.” According to head researcher, Quong Wang of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine: "Thus far, no study has quantified potential linkage of vitamin D to life expectancy, an absolute quantitative metric for population health. To fill in gaps in knowledge, we aimed to investigate how serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations could correlate with premature mortality and life expectancy in a nationally representative cohort of US adults."
*** Methods: Data from 62,704 men and women, average age 46, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 − 1994 and 2001 − 2018 was examined. Information regarding mortality through 2019 was provided by the National Death Index (NDI).
*** Results: In comparison with individuals who had sufficient serum vitamin D levels of 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or higher:
Men and women who had insufficient levels between 20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL had an 18% greater risk of premature mortality.
Deficient levels between 10 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL were associated with a 60% greater risk.
Severely deficient levels of less than 10 ng/mL more than doubled the risk of premature mortality compared with vitamin D-sufficient individuals.
At 50 years, men and women who had insufficient, moderately deficient or severely deficient vitamin D levels lived respective averages of 0.7, 2.1 and 4.4 fewer years compared with those who were sufficient.
*** Conclusions: The researchers stated, "In this national cohort, our findings indicated that compared to sufficiency, deficiency, even moderate, in serum 25(OH)D concentrations could correlate with a significantly increased risk of premature mortality and shortened life expectancy. This underscores the importance of monitoring vitamin D in circulation for primary prevention of chronic diseases and premature mortality in the US. This is a call for action that renewed focus on vitamin D and life expectancy is warranted.”
*** Steve’s Comments: While “optimal level” varies by expert, many suggest that it's above what they believe are deficiency levels (below 20 ng/mL), with some organizations, including the National Institute of Health, suggesting that a level between 20-50 ng/mL is sufficient for general health. Vitamin D expert, Dr. Michael Hollick, suggests a level of at least 30 ng/mL for bone health, but ideally closer to 40-60 ng/mL for broader health benefits. As do the researchers in this study, Dr Hollick believes that a level below 30 ng/mL is deficient for optimal benefits, and advocates for higher daily intake of 2000 IU or more of vitamin D3 to reach and maintain these levels. Lastly, for many people, especially those who live in areas where the sun is not present most of the winter, daily intake in the range of 5000IU to 8000IU (and sometimes more) of vitamin D may be necessary to reach optimal levels.
A simple and inexpensive 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood test will determine what your levels are, and how much supplemental vitamin D is needed. Given that only about 35% of the US population has vitamin D levels of at least 30 ng/ml, there’s a very good chance that you’re deficient, and even more so if you follow Dr. Hollick’s recommendation of 40ng/mL or more.
Each EnDuro D softgel contains 2000IU of vitamin D3, 1500mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-4), and 300mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-7). If you want/need a higher dose of vitamin D3 AND the most complete “coverage” of both subtypes of vitamin K2 (MK-4, MK-7), follow one of these protocols:
1/4 dropper of Liquid EnDuro D + 1 EnDuro D softgel = 3,250IU of vitamin D3, 1500mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-4), and 210 mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-7)
1/2 dropper of Liquid EnDuro D + 1 EnDuro D softgel = 4,500IU of vitamin D3, 1500mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-4), and 240mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-7)
3/4 dropper of Liquid EnDuro D + 1 EnDuro D softgel = 5,570IU of vitamin D3, 1500mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-4), and 270mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-7)
1 full dropper of Liquid EnDuro D + 1 EnDuro D softgel = 7,000IU of vitamin D3, 1500mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-4), and 300mcg of vitamin K2 (MK-7)
REFERENCE:
[1] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13690-025-01785-z
Superior structural health combination Offers powerful defense system support Ensures proper utilization of calcium Also available as EnDuro D softgels(2 softgels = 1mL)
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