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Vitamin D deficiency tied to high rate of hip fractures

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Individuals who have osteoporosis or who are otherwise at an elevated risk for broken bones may want to consider vitamin D testing. A new Indian study has found that the vast majority of hip fractures occur in people who have low levels of the nutrient.

A team of researchers from the International Osteoporosis foundation measured the blood serum levels of vitamin D of 90 patients who have recently broken their hip. The prevelance of vitamin D deficiency in this group was then compared to that of a group of healthy individuals.

The researchers found that more than 76 percent of hip fracture patients had low levels of the nutrient. For comparison, only 32 percent of participants in the healthy group had unhealthy vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a growing problem across the globe. It is known to lead to a weakness of muscle and bone tissues, but research is increasingly connecting the condition to a range of health problems. The study's authors said that it is particularly important for aging individuals to maintain high levels of the nutrient.