Abstract
Vitamin D modulates fracture risk in two ways: by decreasing falls and increasing bone density. Two 2009 metaanalyses of double-blind randomized controlled trials came to the conclusion that vitamin D reduces the risk of falls by 19%, the risk of hip fracture by 18%, and the risk of any nonvertebral fracture by 20%; however, this benefit was dose-dependent. Fall prevention was only observed in trial of at least 700 IU vitamin D per day, and fracture prevention required a received dose (treatment dose*adherence) of more than 400 IU vitamin D per day. Antifall efficacy started with achieved 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of at least 60 nmol/L (24 ng/mL) and antifracture efficacy started with achieved 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of at least 75 nmol/L (30 ng/mL) and both end points improved further with higher achieved 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Based on these evidence-based data derived from the general older population, vitamin D supplementation should be at least 700–1,000 IU/day and taken with good adherence to cover the needs for both fall and fracture prevention. Ideally, the target range for 25-hydroxyvitamin D should be at least 75 nmol/L, which may need more than 700–1,000 IU vitamin D in individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency or those overweight.
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Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Dawson-Hughes, B. (2011). Vitamin D and Muscle. In: Burckhardt, P., Dawson-Hughes, B., Weaver, C. (eds) Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-978-7_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-978-7_15
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