Adding dairy foods into the daily diet of aged care residents can reduce fractures and falls, a scientific study published in the British Medical Journal has found.
The two-year trial led by the University of Melbourne and Austin Health included 7,195 residents from 60 aged care facilities in Victoria, and is the first study to test the impact of providing additional calcium and protein through dairy foods on the risk of fractures and falls in older adults.
As people age, there is a likelihood of increased chronic illnesses, malnutrition, loss of musculoskeletal mass and frailty and bone fragility that increase the risk of falls and fractures, which can lead to ongoing disability and premature death.
Around 30 per cent of all hip fractures occur in aged care residents and around two-thirds of residents are estimated to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
3.5 serves of dairy reduced fractures by 33%
Principal investigator Dr Sandra Iuliano and her team found that increasing dairy food intake from approximately two serves per day to 3.5 serves per day led to a significant reduction in fractures and falls for the residents in the study.
Previous clinical trials have supplemented residents’ diets with vitamin D or calcium tablets to reduce bone loss.
“We were keen to investigate this issue through a nutritional approach. We know that the consumption of milk, yoghurt and cheese, that are rich in calcium and protein, slows bone loss,” Dr Iuliano said.
“Our cluster randomised controlled trial showed muscles of the arms and legs was maintained and falls reduced in the residents given the additional dairy foods. This is an achievable goal in any aged care setting as these foods are widely available, palatable, low cost and can be incorporated into the daily menu.”
46% reduction in hip fractures
The study found a 33 per cent reduction in all fractures, a 46 per cent reduction in hip fractures, and an 11 per cent reduction in falls, with a significant reduction apparent between three and five months after the trial began.
With the intake of dairy foods in residential aged care typically less than half the amount recommended in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, it is now hoped the findings will be used to improve care across the sector.
“Providing adequate dairy foods in the diets of older adults is a proven intervention and a sensible approach to reducing the fracture burden in the whole community,” Dr Iuliano said.
A simple solution with wide-ranging benefits.
