About ConsumerLab.com


Supplements to Improve Balance & Reduce the Risk of Falls -- older woman walking up stairs

Answer:

Taken in moderation, vitamin D may decrease the risk of falls. In addition, insufficient intake of vitamin B12 and protein can cause balance problems and difficulty walking, which could increase the risk of falling. Moderate doses of fish oil may help reduce falls among otherwise healthy older adults.

On the other hand, taking too much vitamin D or taking supplements that promote sleep, like melatonin, may increase the risk of falls.

Sign in as a member for details, including dosage information about proper use of these supplements to decrease the risk of falls. You'll also learn about exercises that can improve balance and steps you can take at home to reduce the risk of falls, as well as whether caffeine, coffee, or aspirin affect balance and the risk of falls.

Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,400 reviews.

Join Now

Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/

5 Comments

Lloyd6563
November 12, 2022

I think bifocals increase risk of falls. I stopped using and have fewer falls from slight missteps.

ConsumerLab.com
November 18, 2022

Although some research has found that wearing bifocals or progressive lens glasses may increase the risk of falls in certain individuals, this is a somewhat complicated issue and not everyone who is at risk for falling appears to benefit from switching to single lenses or taking their glasses off, as discussed in the following guidelines: https://www.optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Professional_support/Guidelines/Falls_Guidelines_v8.pdf

chris20745
October 01, 2024

I've noticed that glasses distort side perspective, especially when using stairs. I'm still surfing at 77 (!), I know they interfere with my balance.

Mindy6555
July 27, 2022

I an anecdotal story I discovered on myself. I was 46 and starting to have my ankles just randomly give out on me. I sprained the top of my foot 3 times in one year. I started to get osteochondritis, too: Connective tissue in the ribs would become inflamed. I started eating egg white burritos I'd make for myself/ I love eggs but I can't handle the choline in yolks. Makes me feel emotionally flat if I consume yolks in consecutive days. I realized after awhile of eating these egg whites that all my connective tissue problems didn't reoccur! I suspect it's the high sulfur in egg whites but I'm not honestly sure. Broccoli and other like vegs are high sulfur and didn't seem to help. So in my case, I no longer fall. My mother who is much older began falling a lot recently and losing her balance. A blockage in her heart was causing this and a stent helped resolve those symptoms for her.

Rob T
April 13, 2016

I think the "risk of falls" warning is appropriate under the circumstances but I doubt that we will be issuing it 12-24 months from now.

The 2015 study behind this recommendation has been widely criticized as bias in search of evidence. Among other flaws, the study employed weird dosage regimes (e.g., 60,000 units once per month which would likely create a pro-inflammatory response in the gut), uncommon definitions of normal and low levels, a lack of control for variables known to be related (e.g., was calcium and/or vitamin K being co-administered), question-begging in the premise, and weak statistical power (the publication bar is virtually always set at a minimum of p<0.05; this study was p<0.09, unheard of!). When Medscape (an online community of practicing physicians) published this study, 93 physicians commented on it. Every comment was negative, pointing out research and/or clinical flaws.

In addition to the design and execution problems, it is equally plausible that the vitamin D increased physical activity, therefore increasing the probability of a fall among people who generally have balance problems. This explanation was not examined much less controlled for.

In contrast to this, a 2004 10 study meta-analysis and many other studies since then (some well-designed, some opportunistic) continue to reach the opposite conclusions.

I appreciate the openness of this forum. Keep up the good work.

Join the conversation

(0/2500)