According to a study published in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, a high daily dose of vitamin D was found to reduce falls among seniors by 72 percent compared to those taking a placebo. For five months researchers observed 124 seniors with an average age of 89, dividing them into five groups that were given either a placebo or a 200, 400, 600 or 800 IU dose of a vitamin D supplement daily. The only group with a significant difference in fall rates from the placebo group was the 800 IU dose group. Study authors Kerry Broe and Douglas Kiel stated that “Past studies have shown that vitamin D could help prevent falls in seniors, and may be due to a possible strengthening effect the vitamin has on the musculoskeletal system. Until now, we didn’t know what dosage amount would be effective.” The 800 IU dose is higher than that typically prescribed to seniors.