Low levels of vitamin D were classified as less than 25 nanomoles per litre (nmol/L) with the average concentration found to be 45.2 nmol/L.
The team discovered that the risk for death significantly decreased with raised vitamin D concentrations over a 14-year period, with the strongest effects seen among those with severe deficiencies.
Mr Sutherland said: “We used a new genetic method to explore and affirm the non-linear relationships that we’ve seen in observational settings, and through this we’ve been able to give strong evidence for the connection between low vitamin D status and premature death.
“Vitamin D deficiency has been connected with mortality, but as clinical trials have often failed to recruit people with low vitamin D levels – or have been prohibited from including vitamin deficient participants – it’s been challenging to establish causal relationships.”
READ MORE: How to sleep: Nine foods high in sleep-inducing mineral selenium for a good night’s sleep
