Does Vitamin D Really Help to Prevent Falls of Your Vulnerable Old Persons?
It is important to know whether vitamin D does help to prevent falls. For these falls could bring about serious complications viz fractures and brain injuries to the victims.
Answer:
Deficiency of vitamin D
Several studies suggest that Vitamin D may help reduce the risk of falls among the elderly population. In fact, vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, and deficiency in this vitamin has been linked to muscle weakness, balance problems, and an increased risk of falls.
Vitamin D on Nervous system
Recent data suggest that muscles and the nervous system are among the target organs of vitamin D. Vitamin D, accordingly, participates in the good functional balancing of fast acting muscle fibers, thereby preserving high muscle contraction speed as well as muscle power [38–43,56].
Reduced by 22%
In a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, it was found that Vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of falls by 22% in older adults.
Must be of high dose
One thing to keep in mind, though, the effect was more pronounced in those who received a higher dose of Vitamin D. The minimum dose of vitamin D for this purpose is about 800iu per day.
Must include other strategies
It’s important to note that while Vitamin D supplementation may help reduce the risk of falls among older adults, it’s not a replacement for other fall prevention strategies, such as exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing environmental hazards in the home.
What studies say
Over the past 15 years, researchers have conducted many studies on the risk of diseases in different populations. These studies have led to increasing arguments in favor of vitamin D’s effect on muscles and the brain, which can prevent falls in elderly persons.
Researchers found that vitamin D can improve posture, movement, executive functions, and moving-about abilities in older adults. This leads to better walking performance and reduces the risk of falls and their negative consequences.
To prevent falls in elderly individuals, researchers recommend giving at least 800 IU of vitamin D daily to those who do not have enough.
This simple treatment can be added as an add-on to strategies for gaining back posture to normal, fall prevention, strength training, integration of nerve-muscle capacities, automation of gait, and adaptation to the environment.
Daily dosages of 700 IU or greater have been found to significantly reduce the risk of falls and broken bones in the elderly. Researchers mostly conducted studies in the 700-1000 IU range, and lower doses appear to be ineffective. Additionally, taking calcium supplements along with vitamin D can provide greater protective effects.
Several human studies have substantiated the observation that vitamin D plays a role in preventing falls, including
- A-Higher-Dose-Of-Vitamin-D-Reduces-The-Risk-Of-Falls-in Nursing-Home-Residents:-A-Randomized,-Multiple=dose-Study
- Fall-Prevention-With-Supplemental-And-Active-Forms-Of-Vitamin-D:-A-Meta=analysis-Of-Randomized-Controlled-Trials
- Fall-Prevention-With-Supplemental-And-Active-Forms-Of-Vitamin-D:-A Meta=analysis-Of-Randomized-Controlled-Trials
- Low=dose=Vitamin=D=Prevents=Muscular-Atrophy-And-Reduces-Falls-And-Hip-Fractures-In-Women-After-Stroke:-A-Randomized-Controlled-Trial
(Note: Examine.com collects the above 4 links)
Medical Disclaimer Reminder:
As a disclaimer, it’s important to note that we intend the information we present here about “Vitamin D to Prevent Falls of Vulnerable Old ” solely for informational purposes. We should not construe it as medical or health advice for any particular condition. Therefore, we strongly recommend that readers consult licensed health professionals before taking any action based on the information provided here.
This is because, as the saying goes, “no one knows what they don’t know,” and seeking professional advice can help ensure that we will not overlook important information. Trained and registered professionals, such as pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, and others, are available to provide guidance and support.
Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that the information we present here is subject to change as new data becomes available. Therefore, it’s essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and recommendations related to this topic and related issues.
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Higher dose vitamin D3
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