Review Undertaken By U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Concludes Vitamin D Supplements and Exercise Help to Reduce Number of Falls in Elderly

Over the past few years there have been a number of studies and reports showing conflicting evidence about whether Vitamin D supplementation may help to prevent falls in the elderly. However a systematic evidence review of “Relevant Interventions to Prevent Falling in Older Adults” undertaken on behalf of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (described in an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine, 21 December 2010) concluded that both exercise (or physical therapy) and vitamin D supplementation could help reduce the number of falls experienced by older people.

As a result of this, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a draft recommendation for vitamin D supplementation exercise/physical therapy interventions for persons of 65 years and older at increased risk of falling.

17% Reduced Risk of Falls with Vitamin D

Falls are a very serious occurrence for the elderly as they may have lasting implications for their health and independence or may even be a cause of death. They are the leading cause of all fatal and non-fatal injuries in people of 65 years and older, with 30-40% of people in this age range who live in the community falling at least once a year.

Of those that fall, 5-10% will experience a fracture, laceration or head injury and the death rate from falls is 10 in 100,000 of those aged between 65 and 74 and 147 in 100,000 for people of 85 years or older. The medical costs arising from falls to the elderly run into many billions in the US alone. Yet there is evidence that such falls are preventable.

The latest review of available, good quality study data, for the USPSTF has concluded that there are 2 ways to help reduce the number of falls:

• Exercise/physical therapy
• Vitamin D supplementation

While the benefits of exercise are widely accepted, the findings about the benefits of vitamin D may be more controversial. Over the last decade there have been many claims that vitamin D supplementation reduces falls in the elderly, but evidence has not always supported this.

A 2009 meta-review of data to establish whether vitamin D supplementation was effective at reducing falls among the elderly concluded that it was not. This study, conducted by the well regarded Cochrane Collaboration, was similar to the latest USPSTF review and considered many of the same studies in coming to its conclusions, but the new study included 4 studies that had not been included in the Cochrane Collaboration review and excluded one that had.

The findings of the latest study were that vitamin D supplements were associated with a 17% reduced risk of falling during 6-36 months of follow up. The study also concluded that combining calcium with vitamin D supplementation did not improve outcomes and that vitamin D supplementation had only a low risk of causing any harm.

Interestingly, another study not included in the review, has shown that yearly, large injections of vitamin D were counterproductive, so oral supplementation of vitamin D is recommended, especially for those elderly people who are deficient since they are likely to experience the most benefit.

Why Vitamin D Supplements May Help

Muscle weakness and impaired balance are two of the factors that contribute to the risk of elderly people falling and several studies have shown that vitamin D has a beneficial effect on muscle strength and balance.

Vitamins, Minerals and Other Health Supplements

While it is best to try and maintain our health by eating a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients our body needs, there may be circumstances when this is just not practical. Also, there is evidence that some vitamin supplements may be beneficial in larger amounts than those that can be obtained from a normal diet.

Discover the health benefits and nutrition facts relating to each of the vitamins; the recommended daily amount and doses used in treating specific conditions; the symptoms of vitamin deficiency

Learn about combined supplements that contain nutrients that work best when they are taken together; about when supplements should not be taken together and what nutrients can be found in a multivitamin.

See whether you might benefit from a magnesium, zinc or other mineral supplement. Find out about other types of herbal supplements such as acai berry, aloe vera, ginseng, spirulana, gingko biloba, probiotics, etc.

Read evidence about whether omega 3 helps with cholesterol levels and heart disease and whether you should consider taking CoQ10 supplements if you are on certain medication.

DISCLAIMERS:

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, competent clinical examination or a healthcare professional’s knowledge. Please seek professional medical advice when considering any new course of treatment, including taking any dietary supplements. Be aware that different treatments may affect individuals in a variety of ways and that what works for one person may not work for another. Likewise a supplement, treatment or medicine that causes problems for one person may produce good results for another and remember that some supplements and medications may interact with other drugs and even food stuffs. The comments posted on this site represent the views of individuals and do not constitute our endorsement of any product or service. Whilst we have made every effort to ensure that the articles published on this site are accurate and supported by clinical research, they are for information purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation and should not be relied upon when making desicions about your health care.