vitamin D and falls

Falls can be devastating for people  and diet is very important as regards prevention with the general diet with adequate protein to maintain muscle health being a factor.

As well as helping the body absorb calcium and acting to slow down bone mineral loss, vitamin D also affects muscle. Studies have shown that it can improve muscle strength and function, thereby reducing the risk of falls and fractures by about 20%.

Vitamin D for falls and fracture prevention | International Osteoporosis ...

https://www.iofbonehealth.org/news/vitamin-d-falls-and-fracture-prevention

Sources of vitamin D are oily fish like salmon, pilchards, and sardines, eggs, butter and cheese. The body also makes vitamin D by the action of sunlight on the skin during the Summer months

The following groups of adults are identified as at risk of vitamin D deficiency
 • Older people aged 65 years and over.
• People who have low or no exposure to the sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, who are housebound or confined indoors for long periods.
 • People who have darker skin, for example people of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian origin, because their bodies are not able to make as much vitamin D.

All UK Health Departments recommend:
•People aged 65 years and over and people who are not exposed to much sun should also take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

For information on falls in Northamptonshire go to
https://www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/health/preventing-falls/Pages/default.aspx