Vitamin D, a crucial nutrient for bone health, has long been recommended for seniors to prevent falls and fractures. However, a recent draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) challenges this notion for postmenopausal women and men over 60. The panel of medical experts reviewed the benefits of vitamin D with or without calcium supplements for independent individuals.
The USPSTF concluded that there is no “net benefit” in using vitamin D supplements to prevent falls and fractures in generally healthy individuals without deficiencies or medical conditions. This recommendation is based on recent randomized clinical trials that showed no significant difference in fall or fracture risk between those taking supplements and those who did not.
Vitamin D is essential for bone health as it helps the body absorb calcium, the primary component of bones. It also regulates cellular functions, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and supports immune health and muscle function. However, the new research suggests that routine supplementation may not effectively prevent falls or fractures in aging adults.
Katy Dubinsky, a pharmacist and CEO of Vitalize, emphasized the importance of evaluating older adults for factors like osteoporosis that may increase their risk of falls or fractures. She recommended prioritizing physical activity and regular doctor’s visits as reliable measures to maintain bone health and prevent injury.
The USPSTF recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, along with strength training exercises, to protect bone health and reduce the risk of falls. Falls are a significant concern among older adults, with about 14 million reporting falling at least once in the previous year.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, causing 78 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. The USPSTF’s recommendations are independent of the U.S. government and aim to provide evidence-based guidance on preventive health measures.
In conclusion, while vitamin D is essential for bone health, supplementation may not be effective in preventing falls and fractures in all seniors. Prioritizing physical activity, strength training, and regular medical check-ups are key strategies to maintain bone health and reduce the risk of injury in older adults.
