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Elderly folks lack adequate levels of Vitamin D March 2006- House-bound elderly patients and those confined to nursing homes may suffer from Vitamin D deficiencies, according to a U.S. study. The study included 18 elderly patients aged 61 to 96 years. Most were receiving multivitamins containing 400-800 IU of Vitamin D, but the majority had low levels of the nutrient. The investigators speculated that home- or nursing-bound subjects do not produce enough Vitamin D because they do not receive adequate exposure to sunlight. They also recommended that these patients receive higher dose Vitamin D supplements than those routinely prescribed. Falls lead to 40 per cent of all nursing home admissions and are the largest single cause of injury-related deaths among the elderly, but these statistics could improve if older people receive supplemental Vitamin D, according to another U.S. study. That study found that elderly people fell 22% less often if they took Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is a hot topic in medical circles these days. It has long been known to affect bone health and muscle strength, but now researchers are studying its links to cancers and other chronic diseases. Wouldn't it be nice if elderly people in nursing homes, especially those who are wheelchair bound, could be taken out for a little sunshine once in a while? Sunshine is an excellent source of Vitamin D, and you can get your whole daily dose with just a 10-minute exposure to ultraviolet light. |