For many people in their senior years, degenerative bone diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis become common, often causing severe and chronic pain, thus decreasing their physical quality of life. Often, this condition leads to joint replacement.

An estimated 15 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis but recent studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that a low intake and low blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with increased risk for progressive osteoarthritis.

One study indicated patients over the age of 70 with low levels of vitamin D are three times more likely to suffer from progressive osteoarthritis. If other studies confirm this relationship, patients with osteoarthritis who have low vitamin D levels may benefit from an increase of vitamin D.