New research suggests that people with traumatic bone fractures often have low levels of vitamin D.

The research corroborates with current understanding of vitamin D, in that vitamin D is important in repairing bone damage.

In the present study, researchers from the University of Missouri looked at vitamin D levels in 900 adults who suffered traumatic bone fractures from incidents like falls and car crashes.

Seventy-nine percent of men and 76 percent of women had deficient vitamin D levels. Furthermore, 40 percent of the women and 38 percent of the men had severe vitamin D deficiency.

The research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

“More research is needed to demonstrate whether vitamin D medications can reduce the risk of bones not healing properly,” Brett Crist said, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery. “But we know vitamin D is required for repairing damage to bones, and for most people there is very little risk in taking vitamin D medications. At this point, we believe it’s a reasonable step for physicians to prescribe the medication as a protective measure.”

Source

US News. Vitamin D Deficiency Often Seen in Traumatic Bone Breaks. 2013.