Effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Menopause. 2015 Nov 2. [Epub ahead of print]
Cangussu LM1, Nahas-Neto J, Orsatti CL, Poloni PF, Schmitt EB, Almeida-Filho B, Nahas EA.
1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
9 months of 1,000 IU vitamin D daily
Women aged 50-65 who had fallen during previous year
| Before | After | Fall Rate | Recurrent fall rate | |
| Placebo | 17 ng | 14 ng | - | - |
| Get 1,000 IU | 15 ng | 27 ng | 2 X reduction | 2.8 X reduction |
Far fewer falls could be expected with larger dose of vitamin D – so as to get > 35 ng
See also VitaminDWiki
- Overview Fractures and Falls and Vitamin D
Previous to the study on this page it appeared thatn 2,000 IU was needed to substantially reduce falls - UK would save as least 636 million dollars annually by giving 800 IU vitamin D free to all seniors – June 2014
- Vitamin D prevents falls – majority of meta-analyses conclude – meta-meta analysis Feb 2015
- Fallers often had less than 20 ng of vitamin D – meta-analysis April 2014
Note: fallers in study on this page had < 17 ng - Falls and Fractures category listing has
258 items along with related searches The Meta-analyses of Falls/Fractures
- No increase in falls, fractures or all-cause mortality when Vitamin D is given monthly or less often– meta-analysis April 2024
- 100,000 IU of Vitamin D monthly (27 ng) is not enough to reduce fractures and falls – meta-analysis April 2024
- Increased risk of fracture if high level of Vitamin D (if continue to take Calcium) – umbrella analysis of meta-analyses Nov 2020
- Hip fractures not prevented by Vitamin D (800 IU daily or large quarterly or annual doses) – meta-analysis – Dec 2019
- Vitamin K (any amount and any kind) reduced bone fractures by 24 percent – meta-analysis – May 2019
- Vitamin D not help fractures and falls if not vitamin D deficient – meta-analysis Oct 2018
- Fractures not reduced by small amounts of vitamin D - meta-analysis Dec 2017
- Preventing Falls in Older Adults – Vitamin D combination is the best - JAMA Meta-analysis Nov 2017
- Hip fracture 58 percent more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis March 2017
- Fracture risk reduced somewhat by 800 IU of vitamin D and Calcium – meta-analysis Oct 2015
- Acute fracture patients – 70 percent were vitamin D deficient – meta-analysis Sept 2015
- Falls not prevented by vitamin D given every 3 months or less often – meta-analysis Jan 2015
- Vitamin D prevents falls – majority of meta-analyses conclude – meta-meta analysis Feb 2015
- Vitamin D and fractures – 24 meta-analyses and counting – Dec 2014
- Bone fractures reduced by a minimum of 800 IU vitamin D and Calcium – meta-meta-analysis March 2014
- Fractures reduced with any amount of vitamin D and some Calcium - Cochraine April 2014
- Fallers often had less than 20 ng of vitamin D – meta-analysis April 2014
- Hip fractures greatly reduced by sunshine, vitamin D, and vitamin K – meta-analysis Sept 2012
- Vitamin D may prevent falls and fractures without Calcium – an overview of 9 meta-analysis – Oct 2012
- Hip fractures reduced 30 percent with 800 IU of vitamin D – meta-analysis July 2012
- Vitamin D reduces falls – meta-analysis Oct 2011
- Active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) cut in half the fractures following organ transplant – meta-analysis Aug 2011
- 1000 IU minimum to decrease falls and fractures Swiss - 2009
- Meta-analysis of falls and 800+ IU of vitamin D found good results – June 2010
- 800 IU vitamin D reduces falls - Dec 2009
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect of isolated vitamin D supplementation (VITD) on the rate of falls and postural balance in postmenopausal women fallers.METHODS:
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 160 Brazilian younger postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups: VITD group, vitamin D3 supplementation 1,000 IU/day/orally (n = 80) and placebo group (n = 80). Women with amenorrhea at least 12 months, age 50 to 65 years, and a history of falls (previous 12 months) were included. Those with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, vestibulopathies, drugs use that could affect balance and osteoporosis were excluded. The intervention time was 9 months. Postural balance was assessed by stabilometry (computerized force platform) and investigation on the occurrence/recurrence of falls was performed by interviews. The plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis was achieved by intention-to-treat, using analysis of variance, Student's t test, Tukey test, chi-square, and logistic regression.RESULTS:
After 9 months, mean values of 25(OH)D increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 ng/mL to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/mL (+45.4%) in the VITD group, and decreased from 16.9 ± 6.7 ng/mL to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/mL (-18.5%) in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The occurrence of falls was higher in the placebo group (+46.3%) with an adjusted risk of 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-3.08) times more likely to fall and 2.80 (95% CI 1.43-5.50) times higher for recurrent falls compared to the VITD group (P < 0.001). There was reduction in body sway by stabilometry, with lower amplitude of antero-posterior (-35.5%) and latero-lateral (-37.0%) oscillation, only in the VITD group (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:
In Brazilian postmenopausal women fallers, isolated vitamin D supplementation for 9 months resulted in a lower incidence of falls and improvement in postural balance.PMID: 26554884
Vitamin D Council review of study Dec 2015
Includes the following
. . this study satisfied most of Professor Robert Heaney’s suggestions for a high quality vitamin D randomized controlled trial:- 1) The women were frequent fallers (they were tested for the condition);
- 2) baseline 25(OH)D levels were low,
- 3) a substantial dose of vitamin D was used; (Note:no #4)
- 5) After nine months, blood tests confirmed the vitamin D group experienced a substantial increase in 25(OH)D levels, while the placebo group did not;
- 6) a corollary test was performed (balance) that agreed with the primary end point.
The only thing the researchers didn’t do was administer vitamin D co-factors (magnesium, zinc, boron and vitamin K), but very few if any studies do that.
See in VitaminDWiki Why randomized controlled trials of calcium and vitamin D sometimes fail – June 2012
Printer Friendly Follow this page for updates6207 visitors, last modified 23 Dec, 2015,