Vitamin D Reduces Falls In The Elderly

A new study shows that elders who simply take additional amounts of vitamin D can significantly reduce their likelihood of falling - a common and often critical occurrence in the elderly. In this new study, researchers found that elderly nursing home residents supplementing with 800 units of vitamin D daily were 72 percent less likely to experience a fall as compared with those receiving a placebo during a 5-month period. Of those participants supplementing with 400 units of vitamin D per day, half were found to be vitamin D deficient. It should be noted that vitamin D deficiency is common with elderly nursing home residents. Vitamin D plays an important role in allowing the body to utilize calcium, keeping both muscles and bones strong.