Want to prevent falls? Try vitamin D and exercise, new recommendations suggest.<\/p>\n
For the first time since 1996, the respected U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated their fall-prevention recommendations, according to Reuters. Of all the fall advice the USPSTF gives, perhaps the finding making the most news is that taking bone-healthy vitamin D may help prevent falls in people 65 or older who are at high risk.<\/p>\n
Together, vitamin D and exercise (or physical therapy) reduce the risk of falling by 13 to 17 percent, Reuters reports.<\/p>\n
A 13 percent reduction in falls would mean that instead of 30 out of 100 older adults having a fall each year, that number would drop to 26<\/p>\n
In the USPSTF’s review of the evidence on vitamin D, the panel found that to prevent one elderly person from falling, 10 would have to take vitamin D supplements.<\/p>\n
[Dr. Albert Siu, vice co-chair of the USPSTF,] said the usual dose is 800 international units (IUs) per day, and studies suggest people should take vitamin D for one year to see any benefit.<\/p>\n
Another important aspect of fall prevention is making sure the home environment is safe. We can help with that through our free home-evaluation visit. Or get a safety checklist of your own here here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"