Calcium and Vitamin D Could Reduce Hip Fractures and Save Billions in Healthcare
Posted on: Tuesday, 6 May 2008, 03:00 CDT
Research from the Lewin Group has shown that using key supplements could dramatically reduce pain and suffering for those over 50 and save billions in healthcare dollars. Using the rigorous Congressional Budget Office's accounting methods to determine the economic impact of supplements, this research analyzed health issues that affect Medicare patients and women of childbearing age. Feel Good for Life, the new online health resource, discusses the benefits of these supplements.
Two key supplements that can affect the health of seniors are calcium and vitamin D. The study determined that providing Medicare-age citizens with 1,200 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D would result in reduced bone loss and fewer hip fractures. The researchers estimated these supplements could prevent over 776,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures over five years and save $16.1 billion.
The benefits of calcium and vitamin D are clearly seen in the centenarians (100 years and up) of Costa Rica. Their water has a high calcium content, and their environment provides ample vitamin D. Feel Good for Life explains that calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis, which is the primary cause of fractures and hospitalizations in the elderly.
According to WebMD, vitamin D helps with body functions that utilize calcium and phosphorus, such as transmission of nerves, the beating of the heart, blood clotting, controlling blood pressure, etc. It helps prevent osteoporosis, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, muscle failure, and problems in immune function. It helps increase bone strength and hardness. Important for those suffering from diabetes is the fact that vitamin D is required by the pancreas to produce insulin.
Starting these supplements well before they reach Medicare age could improve the quality of life for many Americans over the age of 50. For more information on healthy living, visit http://www.feelgoodforlife.com.
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Contact Sally Falkow Media Contact Sallyf@expansionplus.com 626.793.4911 ext. 105
SOURCE: Feel Good for Life
Source: MARKET WIRE
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