摘要：1791年12月，奥地利“音乐神童”莫扎特英年早逝，死后三天即入土，未做解剖，死因就此成谜。据台湾《联合报》报道，其死因在科学家心中一直是个问号。如今有科学家宣称，太阳晒得不够多以致缺乏维生素D，是莫扎特健康欠佳的根本原因。
莫扎特生前饱受疾病之苦，曾患肾病、天花、伤寒、扁桃腺炎及咽喉炎，美国太空总署退休科学家葛兰特近日称，缺乏维生素D是他健康走下坡及英年早逝的主因。
据英国媒体称，莫扎特每天日夜颠倒，埋头写曲，又住在全欧洲日照最少的国家奥地利，让他失去了许多晒太阳的机会，因而缺乏足够的维生素D来维持健康，35岁就因病去世。
葛兰特在《表演艺术家的医疗问题》月刊上发表文章指出：“几乎每种疾病都与维生素D有直接关联，如果当年莫扎特能注意到这点，多出门晒太阳，他的创作一定可以多出一倍。”他认为，现代音乐家也没意识到他们长时间处于室内，会造成体内维生素D的含量不足。
文中同时提到，英国大提琴家杜普蕾及奥地利作曲家马勒英年早逝，可能也与太阳晒得不够多、以致缺乏维生素D有关。
生物探索推荐英文论文摘要：
Mozart died at 35 'because he didn't get enough sun'
If only Mozart had spent a little more time outdoors enjoying the sunshine – because then we might have had a few more masterpieces.
Scientists discovered the composer, who died at just 35, did not get enough sunlight.
He lived in Austria, which was darker than most of Europe, and would work through the night and sleep during the day.
This prevented his body from producing sufficient levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency: Scientists have finally discovered what killed the composer Mozart aged just 35
Mozart suffered illness throughout his life, including kidney disease, smallpox, typhoid fever, tonsillitis and strep throat.
Retired Nasa scientist Dr William Grant, believes that vitamin D deficiency was the underlying cause of his poor health and early death.
Dr Grant said: ‘Almost every disease has a vitamin D connection. If only Mozart had known about vitamin D and had access to supplements, he could have doubled his lifetime’s output of work.’
The ‘sunshine vitamin’ is essential for bone health and is produced when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B sunrays.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to many medical conditions, and increases the risk of developing influenza, pneumonia, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal pain.
Another victim: Austrian composer Gustav Mahler died in 1911 from bacterial endocarditis, which is also caused by a lack of vitamin D
'The same goes for several other famous musicians who died at young ages.
'I think modern-day musicians are unaware of the fact that by staying indoors, they are not getting the adequate amount of vitamin D that they need.'
The study 'Medical Problems of Performing Artists' also suggests two other famous musicians died from lack of sunlight.
British cellist Jacqueline Mary du Pre died in 1987 aged 42 from multiple sclerosis, a disease linked to vitamin D deficiency.
Austrian composer Gustav Mahler died in 1911 from bacterial endocarditis, which is also caused by a lack of vitamin D.
Many have speculated over Mozart’s death. He was buried just three days after he died in 1791, and no autopsy was ever performed.
