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- Title
Vitamin D deficiency, muscle function, and falls in elderly people.
- Authors
Janssen, Hennie C J P; Samson, Monique M; Verhaar, Harald J J
- Abstract
An inadequate serum vitamin D status is commonly seen in elderly people as the result of various risk factors interacting in this population. Apart from the well-known effects on bone metabolism, this condition is also associated with muscle weakness, predominantly of the proximal muscle groups. Muscle weakness below a certain threshold affects functional ability and mobility, which puts an elderly person at increased risk of falling and fractures. Therefore, we wanted to determine the rationale behind vitamin D supplementation in elderly people to preserve and possibly improve muscle strength and subsequently functional ability. From experimental studies it was found that vitamin D metabolites directly influence muscle cell maturation and functioning through a vitamin D receptor. Vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D-deficient, elderly people improved muscle strength, walking distance, and functional ability and resulted in a reduction in falls and non-vertebral fractures. In healthy elderly people, muscle strength declined with age and was not prevented by vitamin D supplementation. In contrast,severe comorbidity might affect muscle strength in such a way that restoration of a good vitamin D status has a limited effect on functional ability. Additional research is needed to further clarify to what extent vitamin D supplementation can preserve muscle strength and prevent falls and fractures in elderly people.
- Publication
The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2002, Vol 75, Issue 4, p611
- ISSN
0002-9165
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1093/ajcn/75.4.611