Vitamin D 'prevents falls for over-65s'
People aged 65 and above should take high-dose vitamin D supplements to help stop them falling over, a team of European and US researchers said yesterday.
Senior citizens can cut their chance of falls by 19pc if they take between 17.5 microgrammes and 25 microgrammes of the vitamin as a daily supplement, the researchers from Zurich and Harvard claimed.
Eight clinical trials, on more than 2,400 people, were included in the review of studies.
The scientists concluded that vitamin D2 at high doses could cut the risk of falling by 19pc, while vitamin D3 could lead to a 26pc reduction.
The vitamins begun to have an effect within two to five months of starting treatment and were still effective after a year, the scientists found.
Previous research had shown that vitamin D improved strength and balance among older people, while other studies have found no significant effect on the risk of falling.
Severe deficiency of vitamin D has been shown to cause muscle pain and weakness.
The experts said: "Each year one in three people aged 65 years or older experiences at least one fall, with 9pc of falls leading to A&E.
"Fall prevention has become a public health goal, especially as the older proportion of the population grows."
