Vitamin D and Risk of Falls in the Elderly Falls in the Elderly
Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins. It is found in milk, salmon, eggs, cheese, fortified cereals, beef, and tuna. It can also be made in the body. When a person is exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is produced in the skin. Once it is produced in the skin, it must be converted to its most active form in the body by the liver and kidneys. Once activated, it stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the gut. Elderly nursing home residents frequently have low levels of vitamin D. They also have a high risk of falling.
Previous studies have shown that vitamin D may reduce the risk of falls in elderly persons, as well as reduce bone fractures in this age group. A recent study added more evidence to these findings. One-hundred and twenty-four elderlynursing home residents received one of four different doses of vitamin D (200, 400, 600, or 800 units) or placebo daily for five months. The group who took 800 units of vitamin D daily had a significantly lower risk of falls during the study period when compared to the other groups.