Vitamin D supplementation to reduce the risk of falls and fractures: the dosing dilemma.

Many tissues in the body have vitamin D receptors. Maintenance of adequate vitamin D serum levels has been linked to a variety of health benefi ts. Vitamin D defi ciency, defi ned as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level 20 ng/mL, is becoming a common issue as our population ages and sun exposure is minimized. Vitamin D defi ciency can lead to osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and increased risk of falls and fractures. Therefore, adequate vitamin D supplementation is essential. With many dosing options available, it is important for clinicians to know how best to treat vitamin D defi ciency without causing harm to minimize the risk of falls and fractures.