Older People need Vit D to help avoid falls & fractures
- A guest post from Home Instead Senior CareStudies done on Irish adults aged 50+ have shown that that ...– A guest post from Home Instead Senior Care
Studies done on Irish adults aged 50+ have shown that that there is a chronic deficiency of Vitamin D in this age group. The EFSA ( European Food Safety Authority) has confirmed the importance of taking Vitamin D to help reduce the risk of falling and fractures in older people (60+).
The primary source of Vitamin D is sunshine but given Ireland’s northerly latitude and constant cloud cover, unfortunately, sunshine does not make an appearance here for many months of the year!
Many people are aware that Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium by the body. However, it also affects muscle function and strength. As we age, it becomes more difficult to obtain and make Vitamin D – an elderly person has a significantly reduced capacity to produce Vitamin D in the body by comparison to a younger person.
Gaye Godkin, Consultant Nutritionist to Home Instead Senior Care, advises that the best sources of dietary Vitamin D in the diet include:
- Oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, trout
- • Lambs liver
- • Eggs
- • Mushrooms
- • Tinned fish such as sardines
- • Cheese, yoghurt, butter and fortified milk
Gaye recommends a diet high in both fresh oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and fresh tuna) and tinned fish as it has other health benefits also. But – relying on food sources will not provide sufficient Vitamin D daily. Gaye tells us, “National nutrition surveys have shown that the consumption of Vitamin D from food is very low – ranging from 144iu to a maximum of 288iu daily – but the minimum daily requirement to prevent falls and ultimate fractures is between 800iu – 1000iu of Vitamin D. So, unless enormous amounts of the foods listed above are consumed, this minimum will not be reached without taking a supplement”
“If and when the sun does shine, we all should aim to expose our arms and legs for 15-20 minutes per day or consume a supplement of Vitamin D daily – particularly during the winter months,” she concludes.
– For further information on home care options and more great information, visit www.homeinstead.ie.
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