Low Vitamin D Raises Women’s Hip Fracture Risk

Low levels of vitamin D can boost older women’s risk for hip fracture by more than 70 percent, University of Pittsburgh researchers report. The finding adds weight to the recommendation that people maintain adequate intake of vitamin D, which is primarily made by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

For this study, data was collected from 800 women aged 50 to 79. Researchers followed the women for up to nine years to determine their risk for hip fractures. They found that the risk of hip fracture rose 33 percent with every 25 nanomoles per liter drop in vitamin D levels. Women with the lowest levels of vitamin D had a 71 percent increase risk for hip fractures compared with women with the highest levels of vitamin D, the researchers report.

According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, people should get between 200 and 400 international units of vitamin D a day. The best way to get vitamin D, naturally, is by being out in the sun.

As little as 10 to 15 minutes of sun a day can give you all a vitamin D you need.

Source: MSN Health & Fitness, 18 August 2008

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