If you’ve read anything on the importance of vitamin D, you know that its many benefits range from making your teeth and bones strong, to supporting your muscles, nerves and immune system.

And now new research published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society has found that vitamin D supplements may lower blood pressure in older adults with obesity.

The study followed 221 older people who are considered obese taking vitamin D supplements at either 600 international units a day or 3,750 units a day, for an entire year. They found that the supplements decreased their blood pressure and that the higher doses of vitamin D did not provide additional health benefits.

It’s difficult to draw a conclusion from the study without knowing certain variables, such as where these people live and what their diet consists of. But there’s little doubt that vitamin D can affect blood pressure in several ways, according to Dipti Sabharwal, DO, a family practice physician with OSF HealthCare.

“The main role of vitamin D is it helps with calcium homeostasis. So that's maintaining your calcium levels in the body,” she says. “Calcium has many roles. It helps contract your blood vessels, and then it helps relax them as well. If we have normal amounts of vitamin D, then the calcium is working well, so the muscles can continue working normally.”

Dr. Sabharwal adds that vitamin D also helps with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a hormone system that helps in regulating blood pressure.

Past research has found that vitamin D deficiency can cause an increased risk of falls in older adults, bone fractures, a risk of cardiovascular disease, some autoimmune diseases including Type 1 diabetes and even depression.  

“So very commonly, we use it for patients who have seasonal affective disorder or depression, especially during the winter months,” says Dr. Sabharwal. “We give them photo therapy or light therapy to help with the vitamin D levels in the body, and that has also shown to help with depression.”

The recommended daily amount of vitamin D varies, but Dr. Sabharwal says healthy adults should get between 600-800 international units per day. For people with a deficiency or experiencing osteoporosis, a doctor might recommend a higher dose. But too much isn’t always a good thing.

“If you have a lot of calcium, it can increase the risk of kidney stones. It can cause constipation and belly pain," says Dr. Sabharwal. "Those are some common side effects.”

Dr. Sabharwal says the first step is getting a blood test to find out if you are low in vitamin D and following your doctor’s advice regarding dosage, especially if you are older or obese.

Additionally, any supplements should be used in combination with a healthy diet, exercise and weight management. Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, fortified dairy products and eggs. Sun exposure is another good way to absorb vitamin D, but that’s not always possible in the Midwest with its unpredictable winters.

One thing to keep in mind is that vitamin D supplements alone are not going to help lower blood pressure,” says Dr. Sabharwal. “It's really exercise and diet. Those are the two things that someone can do on their own to help lower blood pressure naturally.”

The bottom line, she adds, it’s better to take control of your blood pressure now before it becomes a problem down the road.

Interview Clips 

That's why it's important to separate myth and fact when it comes to older adults seeing a mental health professional. 

Kren Harmon, a social worker with OSF HealthCare, has heard people not trust providers. 

Or, they think getting help is a sign of weakness or will create a burden on family. 

She also says some seniors think they will be forced to do off-the-wall treatment.

“There are just a lot of stereotypes about that. It’s going to make me feel like a zombie. I don’t want to be sedated. That’s not what we’re talking about with the newer SSRI medications," Harmon says. "It’s not going to sedate you. It’s just going to help you be a better version of yourself. Have a little more hope and energy.”

Harmon also says health systems have case management teams that can help with things like transportation and insurance.

Health Highlights Video Version With Chyrons

Health Highlights Video Version Without Chyrons

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be available at pharmacies around the country in the coming weeks.

The mRNA vaccine is not a booster, says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. He says it’s recommended for a much broader portion of the population.

"The vaccine is now recommended for everybody 6 months and older as a one-time, once-a-year vaccine," Dr. Kasper says. “The vaccine has been updated. For people who are at really high risk, those 65 and older or with respiratory conditions, they may get a second shot. This would be in a six-month interval in the springtime.” 

Does the vaccine prevent me from getting COVID-19?

The quick answer? No, much like you find with the annual influenza vaccine.

"The vaccine seeks to protect severe outcomes associated with COVID-19. It doesn't protect you from getting COVID, it tries to decrease the severity of how sick you would get," Dr. Kasper says. 

While there has been an uptick in COVID-19 cases recently, Dr. Kasper says there has not been an increase in COVID hospitalizations. He attributes this to robust natural immunity in the population and adding this COVID-19 vaccine is just another way to protect yourself from severe illness.

FDA’s “What to Know” sheet

The 2024-2025 formula has been updated to protect against the Omicron variant KP.2.

• Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive three doses of the updated, authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the updated, authorized Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
• Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of the updated, authorized Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received).
• Individuals 5 years through 11 years of age regardless of previous vaccination are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated, authorized Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines; if previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least two months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated, approved Comirnaty (manufactured by Pfizer BioNTech) or the updated, approved Spikevax (manufactured by Moderna); if previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least two months since the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Additional doses are authorized for certain immunocompromised individuals ages 6 months through 11 years of age as described in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine fact sheets.

Commercial retailers are the way to go

As the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna become available, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) will publish a pharmacy lookup website at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/vaccines.gov to help people find the nearest vaccine locations.

Dr. Kasper says the best bet at getting a vaccine appointment for COVID-19 or influenza, is through pharmacies at local commercial retailers like Target, Walgreens, CVS or Walmart.

Free COVID-19 home tests are coming back

“The U.S. government will make the at-home COVID testing available for free again this year. You can request up to four home tests that will be delivered to your address for free,” Dr. Kasper says. That gives people another option for testing if they think they're developing signs of COVID even after receiving a vaccine, which can be another way to avoid wait lines at urgent cares, ERs or primary care clinics, and to keep themselves isolated until symptoms have resolved.”

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that COVIDTests.gov will be the website to order from once the website is active.

Status of the Novavax vaccine

A third manufacturer, Novavax, makes a protein-based vaccine similar to influenza vaccines. While it hasn’t been approved by the FDA, Dr. Kasper suspects it will be soon.

"It likely will be approved, and Novavax has been a prior manufacturer of COVID-19 vaccines. That is a third option that will be coming that isn't mRNA based for people to consider if they had an adverse reaction with Pfizer or Moderna in the past,” Dr. Kasper says.

Can I get the COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time?

"There's no issue with timing on getting the COVID and influenza vaccines. The RSV vaccine is recommended to be given separate," Dr. Kasper says. “Most of that has to do with the fact they weren't studied together, there's not an adverse issue with it. For the population, COVID and influenza are recommended across almost all age groups. RSV is for our older population, so we recommend spacing that out by a week or two.”

For all vaccine questions, Dr. Kasper recommends speaking with your primary care team to go over options.

Video Interview Clips

An open house was held at the OSF PACE facility at 719 N. William Kumpf Blvd. Suite 300 in Peoria, on Thursday, June 20.

“OSF PACE will really help the people in the Tri-County area stay in their home and community,” says Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE. “PACE is designed to make the care coordination and aging in place process easier. We walk alongside the individual, support them in their needs and journey, and help them stay independent longer and healthier.”

The program officially launched on June 1, welcoming the first participants into the program.

The OSF PACE location also houses OSF Senior World, which has provided adult day care services for older individuals and those who are disabled or cognitively impaired, since 1981. OSF Senior World adult day care services will continue to be offered both independently and as part of the OSF PACE program.

What is PACE?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states prior to being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the daily health care and social needs of older adults.

Who is eligible?

“Anyone who is 55 years of age or older, a resident of our service area and meets nursing home eligibility criteria can enroll in OSF PACE,” Pritzker says.

To learn more about PACE, you can get started by calling (833) 401-1679. In addition, you can visit the OSF PACE website.

For more information on OSF PACE, head to the OSF Newsroom article here to learn more.

OSF PACE B-ROLL

After months of preparation, the state of Illinois and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have awarded OSF HealthCare a contract to be one of the first in the state to offer Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Enrollment for the program, known as OSF PACE, is currently underway with services officially beginning June 1.

“OSF PACE will really help the people in the Tri-County area stay in their home and community,” says Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE. “No one wants to go into a nursing home, no one wants to have choppy and disjointed care for themselves, or their elderly loved one who is at risk of a nursing home placement. We make sure that an undesirable scenario doesn’t have to happen. We walk alongside the individual, support them in their needs and journey, and help them stay independent longer and healthier.”

OSF PACE offices and services will be located at 719 N. William Kumpf Blvd., Ste. #300, in downtown Peoria. The location also houses OSF Senior World, which has provided adult day care services for older individuals, and those who are disabled or cognitively impaired since 1981. OSF Senior World adult day care services will continue to be offered both independently and as part of the OSF PACE program.

“OSF PACE really allows us to have a more expansive and global offering for individuals who enroll with us. We serve people where they are,” Pritzker says. “We meet people in their homes and in the community and follow alongside them throughout their whole journey and walk of life.”

What is PACE?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states prior to being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the health care and social needs of older adults every day.

Who is eligible?

“Anyone who is 55 years of age or older, a resident of our service area and meets nursing home eligibility criteria can enroll in OSF PACE,” Pritzker says.

To learn more about PACE, you can get started by calling (833) 401-1679. In addition, you can visit the OSF PACE website.

Video Interview Clips

It’s no secret that walking is good for you. In fact, medical experts say it’s better than running. Walking improves fitness, reduces pain, eases depression and fatigue, and helps with circulation and posture, and more.

It’s especially good for older adults.

According to a study published in the journal Circulation, older adults who walk three to four miles a day — 6,000 to 9,000 steps — are 40 to 50% less likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those who walk a mile (2,000 steps) a day.

This study focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the findings were the result of eight studies using data from 20,000 people in the United States and 42 other countries. Their average age was 63 with 52% being women.

For years, the targeted goal was 10,000 steps, which originated in the 1960s from a marketing campaign to promote the Tokyo Olympics. While the American Heart Association still recommends 10,000 steps a day, the organization says that just a mile of walking can also provide health benefits.

For people 60 and older, the more steps taken, the lower their risk for CVD. The study found no connection between steps taken and the risk of CVD in younger adults.

“Heart health or cardiovascular risk increases as we age," says Nancy Dagefoerde, a nurse practitioner with OSF Cardiovascular Institute. "So, if a person is sedentary, they're adding to that risk, and it's also important for balance and movement in general and just overall health and reduction of health problems. That's why it is especially important for older people.”

If 6,000 steps still seems like a lot, don’t worry. Dagefoerde says the important thing is to get started and work your way up gradually. 

“If you start at 2,000, and you just start adding on 1,000 steps, you're showing health benefit, which I think is really important because many people can’t do that many steps in a day for several reasons," says Dagefoerde. 

You can choose between a slow walk and a more brisk pace. Dagefoerde says the benefit of walking slowly is it burns more calories and is easier on the joints. Brisk walking helps fight developing heart disease, cancer and dementia.

And if walking isn’t your thing, don't sweat it. Dagefoerde recommends other exercises that are just as helpful including water programs, dance classes, chair exercises, using a recumbent bike or try walking in place indoors.

“During an hour-long TV show, there's 20 minutes of commercials, and they're three to four minutes at a time," says Dagefoerde. "So, if you can't do a lot of walking at once, get up and walk for those three-to-four-minute intervals, then you’re getting some activity in.”

The bottom line is to get moving. Start by having a conversation with your doctor about the best way to begin any type of walking program. 

“Do small amounts. It doesn't have to be a great deal," says Dagefoerde. "Many people think if they can't do a half hours or 45 minutes at once, they might as well not exercise, but you can actually break it up into three 15-minute workouts or three 15-minute walks. Even if you're working, you can take a 15- minute break and do a little now and a little more later. Something is better than nothing.”

For more information about leading a healthier lifestyle, visit OSF HealthCare. 


 

Interview Clips 

B-Roll