Alternative Health Blog

In a prospective study involving 92 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), results indicate that vitamin D deficiency may help reduce stooped posture. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were significantly lower in stooped PD patients (n = 34), compared with nonstooped PD patients (n = 58). During a follow-up of 5 years, 22% of patients in the nonstooped group, compared with 100% of patients in the stooped group developed new vertebral fracture. At 5-year end, mean serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were 7 ng/mL in the stooped group and 14.1 ng/mL in the nonstooped group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Stooped posture in Parkinson disease may be caused by vertebral fractures resulting from vitamin D deficiency with compensatory hyperparathyroidism. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce stooped posture in patients with Parkinson disease."