Health experts warn against vitamin D and calcium for fall prevention in elderly
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The US Preventive Services Task Force warns against relying on vitamin D and calcium supplements as a preventive measure for falls in older adults, citing a lack of significant benefits in reducing fracture risks, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. While these nutrients remain vital for overall health, the elderly are encouraged to engage in strength training, regularly check their vision and hearing, and use assistive devices like canes or walkers to help prevent falls. This guidance aims to steer older adults towards more effective strategies for maintaining their mobility and health.
Source
LeBoff, M. S., Chou, S. H., Ratliff, K. A., Cook, N. R., Khurana, B., Kim, E., Cawthon, P. M., Bauer, D. C., Black, D., Gallagher, J. C., Lee, I. M., Buring, J. E., & Manson, J. E. (2022). Supplemental Vitamin D and Incident Fractures in Midlife and Older Adults. The New England journal of medicine, 387(4), 299–309. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2202106
Additional Reading
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/12/17/vitamin-d-warning-older-adults/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/17/health/vitamin-d-calcium-falls-uspstf-wellness/index.html