A new study led by an international team of scientists reveals an increased intake of foods rich in calcium and protein such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, reduces falls and fractures in older adults living in residential care. The randomized controlled trial was published in The British Medical Journal. Researchers say this approach has “widespread implications as a public health measure for fracture prevention.”
Older adults living in residential care often have low calcium and protein intake, which can lead to weak bones and an increase in the risk of falls and fractures. It is estimated that older adults in aged care are the source of about 30 per cent of all hip fractures. Researchers based in Australia, the Netherlands and the US set out to examine whether achieving recommended daily intakes of calcium and protein from food sources would reduce the risk of fragility fractures and falls among older adults in residential care facilities.
The two-year trial involved 60 aged care facilities in Australia housing 7,195 residents replete in Vitamin D but with daily calcium and protein intakes below recommended levels. Thirty intervention facilities were randomized to provide residents with additional milk, yogurt, and cheese, achieving intakes of 1,142 mg calcium/day and 1.1 g protein/kg body weight/day. The remaining 30 control facilities continued with their usual menu.
Data from 27 intervention facilities and 29 control facilities were analysed and a total of 324 fractures (135 hip fractures), 4,302 falls, and 1,974 deaths occurred during the study period. The intervention was associated with risk reductions of 33 per cent for all fractures (121 v 203), 46 per cent for hip fractures (42 v 93), and 11 per cent for falls (1,879 v 2,423). There was no group difference in all-cause mortality.
