Falls decreased with Vitamin D
Vitamin D supplementation at levels of 1,000 IU /day reduces risk of falls in elderly women with a history of falls regardless of the season of the year according to the Jan. 14, 2008 issue of a popular medical magazine, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). This is an important finding as at least 1/3 of women over 65 sustain a fall within the year with about 6% of those women sustaining a fracture.
Frequently, such falls are the reason for confinement in a nursing home. The vitamin D supplementation group was able to reduce their incidence of falls by 19%. The study, done at Gairdner Hospital in Australia, clearly brings up a new issue for the supplementation of vitamin D levels at levels higher than the recommended daily intake of 600 IU (15 mcg) for those greater than 70.The tolerable upper limits for this age group is 2,000 IU/day.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
