PRESS RELEASE

June 1, 2021

The link between vitamin D and a reduction in the risk of older adults suffering from a fall is the focus of IADSA’s latest ‘Mind the Gap’ resource.

Available to view at iadsa.org/mind-the-gap/english/falling#intro,the resource explains that falling is a risk factor for bone fractures among men and women aged 60 years and older. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 37.3 million falls every year – more than 100,000 a day – that are serious enough to require attention.¹

Multiple factors can increase the risk of fall, including a lack of vitamin D.² Scientists believe vitamin D improves muscle function, strength and body balance, which helps to reduce the risk of falling.

WHO³ and the US National Institute on Aging⁴ both suggest that a lack of vitamin D could increase the risk of suffering a fracture as a result of a fall. The European Commission, meanwhile, has approved a health claim for vitamin D and a reduced risk of falling.⁵

Simon Pettman, Executive Director of IADSA, commented: “The message of our latest Mind the Gap resource is simple: increasing vitamin D intake is a way to help older adults keep their bones strong and reduce the risk of suffering a fall. With many people becoming less active as a result of lockdowns and self-isolation, the central message of this new story is more important now than ever.”

Mind the Gap is an information resource created by IADSA – the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations. It facilitates the sharing of positive stories about the benefits that nutrition offers to consumers all over the world and society at large. It also seeks to fill gaps in our scientific knowledge, while promoting real-life examples of successful national nutrition programmes. Find out more at iadsa.org/mind-the-gap.

Based in London, IADSA is the international association of the food supplement sector, with members from six continents. IADSA is the global platform to guide the evolution of policy and regulation in the sector. Visit iadsa.org for more information.

ENDS

REFERENCES

¹https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls#:~:text=Each%20year%20an%20estimated%20646,medical%20attention%20occur%20each%20year

²https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

³https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/WHo-Global-report-on-falls-prevention-in-older-age.pdf

⁴https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures

⁵ Commission Regulation (EU) No 1228/2014 of 17/11/2014

For more information, please contact:
​Richard Clarke, Ingredient Communications
​Tel: +44 7766 256 176
​Email: richard@ingredientcommunications.com
​Twitter: @ingredientcomms

About IADSA
​Established in 1998, IADSA is an international body comprising member associations and companies operating in the global supplements sector. Bringing together food supplement associations from six continents, IADSA is a trusted source of information and runs regional and national regulatory, scientific and technical programmes in many parts of the world, supporting and advising governments and other stakeholders in relation to the development and implementation of regulation and policy. IADSA also works with companies and authorities to build national associations in countries where they do not already exist. IADSA’s full name is International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations.