Take D - Don't Fall

by Nutrition Focus

A new analysis suggests that elderly people who take vitamin D supplements are less likely to fall than those who do not. The study was a meta-analysis, which uses previously published studies.

Five studies that included over 1,200 participants were identified that met the criteria of the researchers. Those who took 800 IU of vitamin D daily had a significant 22 percent lower incidence of falling. The study appeared in the April 28, 2004 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/291/16/1999

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HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

So you thought vitamin D was only for your bones? Vitamin D also leads to improved muscle function. Vitamin D and calcium supplements resulted in less body sway by elderly subjects. Although exposure to the sun makes vitamin D in the skin and can be gotten sufficiently from foods, it is difficult for most elderly to get the RDA routinely. Supplements of this may be necessary, particularly in the winter.

Tags: vitamin-d