Vitamin D reduces the risk of falls in older adults
Researchers from the University Hospital Zurich, in Switzerland reviewed the evidence.
First, the details.
- Data from 8 well-designed studies of older people receiving a defined oral dose of supplemental vitamin D were combined for a meta-analysis.
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)
- Or, an active form of vitamin D (1{alpha}-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1{alpha}-hydroxycalciferol) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol)
And, the results.
- High doses of vitamin D (700-1000 IU a day) reduced fall risk by 19%.
- Those people with blood levels of 25(OH)D concentrations of 60 nmol/L or higher had a 23% fall reduction.
- Falls were not reduced by low doses (less than 700 IU/day supplemental vitamin D or by blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of less than 60 nmol/day.
- Active forms of vitamin D reduced fall risk by 22%.
The bottom line?
The authors tell us that these findings support earlier study results.
Active forms of vitamin D do not appear to be more effective for fall prevention than 700-1000 IU of supplemental vitamin D.
10/9/09 22:07 JR