Dutch researchers say they have found a link between low Vitamin D levels and a higher risk of falling for older men and women.

Those lacking adequate Vitamin D have 78% greater odds of falling more than once during a year. Vitamin D is often associated with bone health but it also is important when it comes to strength and muscle mass, which may explain the link to falls risk, researchers said.

They studied more than 1,200 people 65 or older for a year. About one-third of them fell at least once; 1 in 9 fell twice or more often during a year. Those lacking adequate vitamin D levels were 78% more likely to fall two or more times.

While suggesting that seniors should maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D, clinical trials still would be needed to show whether it would actually prevent falls, said the study’s lead author, Marieke B. Snijder, of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Smoking, exercise and drinking habits did not explain the higher falls probability, researchers said. A report on their findings can be found in the August 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.