Women who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer a hip fracture, researchers have said.
A study analysing data on 400 women who had experienced a hip fracture found that, as blood levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D - an indicator of vitamin D status - decreased, the risk of hip fractures increased.
The general consensus among experts is that at least 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D should be consumed each day.
The study was conducted by Dr Jane Cauley, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
Dr Cauley revealed: "The risk of hip fractures was 77 per cent higher among women whose 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were at the lowest concentrations.
"This effect persisted even when we adjusted for other risk factors such as body mass index, family history of hip fracture, smoking, alcohol use and calcium and vitamin D intake," she added.
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Women who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to suffer a hip fracture, researchers have said.
