A new report from Tufts University suggests that higher daily doses of vitamin D – between 800 and 2000 IUs – can significantly lower the risk of fractures for both men and women age 65 and older. The research team analyzed 11 separate clinical trials that studied the effect of vitamin D supplementation in more than 31,000 seniors. They found a 30 percent reduction in the risk of hip fractures and a 14 percent reduction in the risk of other fractures among those whose daily vitamin D intake ranged from 800-2000 IUs.
The investigators reported that they saw no benefit to taking doses of “D” below 800 IUs daily for prevention of fractures. They also noted that unless older adults are exposed to bright sunlight year-round they need supplements to maintain adequate amounts of “D” and that typical consumption from foods, including tuna, salmon or fortified milk adds up to only 150 IUs per day. Most multivitamins provide only 400 IUs.
