Vitamin D A Key To Preventing Falls And Broken Bones In Older Adults
Statistics have shown that falls contribute up to 40% of all nursing home admissions among the elderly. However these statistics could be favourably improved if the elderly were given supplemental Vitamin D.
As we get older, the ability of our skin to convert Vitamin D to its active form is impaired, Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption to take place from the small intestines; in the absence of Vitamin D, older Americans hence also become calcium deficient. Approximately one - third of people over 65 years of age and up to an estimated half of people over 80 years are injured from falling every year. However recent data suggests that the elderly who receive Vitamin D supplementation in their diets are likely to experience fewer falls, through improvement of the gait or muscle strength.
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining a normal blood concentration of calcium and the mineralization of bone. "The activated form of Vitamin D promotes health and strength of muscles, which in turn improves gait and reduces falls," says Dr. Dharmarajan.
"With osteomalcia, the lack of mineralization cause bones to become weaker," explains Dr. Dharmarajan. "In the absence of calcium and mineralization, Vitamin D deficiency causes the bones to become rubbery and pain is experienced in the muscle and bone; patients wrongly refer to this as "arthritis". With weakness of pelvic and thigh muscles, adults can have difficulty in getting up from a chair or maintaining their gait and balance."
The softening of bones, known as osteomalacia can be treated or better still prevented with Vitamin D. " There are very few natural sources of Vitamin D," says Dr. Dharmarajan. "There are two main ways to receive this important Vitamin; through UVB rays in sunlight penetrating the skin and through some food types such as fatty fish, fish oils and liver. As natural sources are scarce Vitamin D is mainly available through fortified produce such as the dairy products; milk, yogurt, as well as orange juice are sources only when fortified with Vitamin D."
"Most of the Vitamin D we acquire is through sunlight exposure rather than dietary intake. It is important to note that during the winter, people spend less time outdoors and wear more layers of clothing to keep themselves warm. This unfortunately reduces the amount of UV radiation they would normally receive resulting in lower Vitamin D synthesis in the skin," says Dr. Dharmarajan. "As people gradually get older, they are more likely to stay indoors for longer periods of time. Allowing adequate skin to be exposed to sunlight for 5-10 minutes two or three times a week is generally sufficient to meet Vitamin D requirements." Vitamin D intake should be combined with adequate calcium intake for healthy bones.
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center is a University Hospital of New York Medical College and a member of Our Lady of Mercy Healthcare System and the Catholic Health Care Network.
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