Private MD News

Vitamin D may help seniors avoid falls

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Seniors who are concerned about fall-related fractures as they grow older may benefit from vitamin D testing. A new study has shown that elderly individuals who have higher levels of the nutrient may be less likely to fall and get injured.

Researchers from Drexel University in Philadelphia reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine that about one out of every three individuals who are older than 65 will fall, and that this requires significant medical care.

However, after review the results of nearly 4,000 previous studies, they found that there is strong evidence to support the idea that vitamin D supplementation in addition to increased levels of physical activity may greatly reduce a senior’s risk of injury from falling.

"The number of falls among older adults is increasing significantly every year, and it's not because the percentage who fall is increasing. Rather, it's because the number of older adults is growing and will continue to grow," lead researcher Dr. Yvonne Michael, told Reuters Health.

She said that this underscores the need to find out why seniors fall and what can be done about it.