Omega-3’s May Help Reduce Risk of a Fall

For the first time, a study has found an association between supplementation with omega-3’s and a decrease in the risk of falling for mature adults.

Participants in the study included 2,157 adults with an average age of 70. They were assigned to 1 of 8 interventions for 3 years:

1. 2,000 IU’s of vitamin D and 1 gram of EPA and DHA omega-3’s daily;
2. 2,000 IU’s of vitamin D and 1 gram of EPA and DHA omega-3’s and a simple home exercise program;
3. 2,000 IU’s of vitamin D daily and a simple home exercise program;
4. 1 gram of EPA and DHA omega-3’s daily and a simple home exercise program;
5. 2,000 IU’s of vitamin D daily;
6. 1 gram of EPA and DHA omega-3’s daily;
7. A simple home exercise program;
8. Placebo daily

All incidences of falls were recorded.

Participants who received omega-3 supplementation had a 10% reduced risk of suffering a fall, compared to those who did not receive omega-3’s. Vitamin D supplementation and the simple home exercise program did not have any effect on fall risk.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Zurich. It was published online ahead of print on February 7, 2022, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In a previous study, omega-3’s were found to offer cognitive health benefits.