Vitamin D, known for promoting bone health, may not be effective in protecting all older adults from injury.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) this week released a draft recommendation against the use of vitamin D to prevent falls and fractures in postmenopausal women and men over 60.
A panel of 16 medical experts examined the benefits of taking vitamin D with or without calcium supplements for individuals living independently.
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The USPSTF says these supplements provide no “net benefit” in preventing falls or fractures, based on evidence that vitamin D and calcium do not reduce risk in generally healthy people without other deficiencies or medical conditions. I concluded.
USPSTF recommendations recommend against using vitamin D to prevent falls and fractures in some people over age 60. (St. Petersburg)
According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin D is an essential nutrient for building and maintaining healthy bones.
“That's because the body can absorb calcium, the main component of bones, only when vitamin D is present,” the same source writes on the website.
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Vitamins also regulate other cellular functions in the body and act as anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants.
”[Its] Neuroprotective properties support immune health, muscle function, and brain cell activity,” reports the Mayo Clinic.
According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin D helps build and maintain healthy bones. (St. Petersburg)
Vitamin D is best produced in the body through exposure to direct sunlight. This means that vitamin D levels often drop during the winter months when there is less sunlight.
However, this new and developing research suggests that supplements may not necessarily protect bones in older adults.
“For older adults, it is important to assess for factors that may increase the risk of falls and fractures, such as osteoporosis.”
Katie Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and founder and CEO of Vitalize, said these conclusions were based on a review of “recent randomized clinical trials” and that the results were combined. The researchers found that there was no significant difference in the risk of falls or fractures between those who took supplements and those who did not. Those who didn't. ”
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“It's important to evaluate older adults for factors such as osteoporosis, which can increase the risk of falls and fractures,” she told FOX News Digital.
“Vitamin D and calcium are key to maintaining strong bones, but even healthy, independent older adults who take regular supplements may not be able to effectively prevent falls and fractures, research suggests. It is suggested.”
Regular doctor visits and physical activity are “proven and reliable tools that make a big difference” in maintaining bone health, one expert said. (St. Petersburg)
Dubinsky added that the best way to maintain strong bones and prevent injuries is to prioritize physical activity and continue to see your doctor regularly.
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To protect bone health and reduce the risk of falls, the USPSTF recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, along with regular strength training.
Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older adults.
“Exercise that focuses on balance and coordination can reduce the risk of falls, while resistance training strengthens bones and helps prevent muscle loss,” Dubinsky said.
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According to 2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 14 million adults age 65 and older reported at least one fall in the previous year.
According to a report by the USPSTF, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older adults. (St. Petersburg)
According to the USPSTF, unintentional falls will kill 78 people per 100,000 people in 2021, making them the “leading cause of unintentional injury among older adults.”
The task force said on its website that its recommendations are “independent of the U.S. government.”
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“They should not be construed as official positions of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” they wrote.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the USPSTF for comment.
