Also reducing falling in nursing homes....
paying attention when you're walking.
Posted on 02/26/2007 3:51:21 PM PST by blam
Source: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date: February 22, 2007
Vitamin D May Reduce Falls In Elderly Nursing Home Residents
Science Daily — New research suggests that reducing the number of falls suffered by seniors in nursing homes may be helped by taking a vitamin, along with other measures known to decrease falls. According to a study in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors taking a high daily dose of vitamin D experienced 72 percent fewer falls compared to those taking a placebo.
Approximately 50 percent of nursing home residents fall every year, and those who are injured become even more prone to future falls. According to study authors Kerry Broe and Douglas Kiel, "lowering the risk of falls with a simple vitamin D supplement could improve the quality of life for nursing home residents by reducing the incidence of falls."
“Past studies have shown that vitamin D could help prevent falls in seniors, and may be due to a possible strengthening effect the vitamin has on the musculoskeletal system. Until now, we didn’t know what dosage amount would be effective,” say Broe and Kiel. The dose that was most effective, 800 International Units per day, is higher than the dose typically prescribed to seniors. Taking this dose of vitamin D should be done only through the approval of a patient's doctor and certain conditions, such as high blood calcium levels, need to be considered by a physician.
The authors note that further research on the subject is required to accurately determine vitamin D’s effect with regard to patients’ current health conditions and other variables, such as ethnicity. Falls are caused by many factors and vitamin D may be only one of many methods to be discovered that reduce their incidence. Taking vitamin D only may not result in fall reductions and all preventative measures need to be considered.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
If this were a new drug, it would still be in the approval process and end up costing $10 a pill.
Also reducing falling in nursing homes....
paying attention when you're walking.
Question in regards to your other thread. Where do we get vitamin D for non-caucasian (lactose intolerant) populations? Buy sea-weed futures?
Drink your milk!
Cod Liver Oil is the absolute best source available.
I take only a teaspoonful, I should really upgrade.
I'm taking a fantastic brand called Nordic Naturals, cod liver oil, which I can get at vitacost.com (the best). It has the omegas, vitamin A and D.
I love it.
Carlsons LEMON FLAVORED Cod Liver Oil - the best there is, and it's "clean."
BTW, dark skinned people in Western societies need to take more Vitamin D than lighter skinned people. Sea food is a good natural source for Vitamin D. I eat one can of tuna a day and also get my omega-3.
I tried taking 800iu of vitamin D in pill form but it affected my bladder(?).
Don't know if you've seen this or not, but it could be something that might help your m-i-l.
The easiest way to prevent nursing home falls is to hire nursing staff that knows how to manage known fall risk patients. I'm not holding my breath on that one.
I'll mention it.
BTW, we received a phone call , again, last night. Thank goodness, she is well protected with padding on the floor by her bed.
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