Vitamin D supplements may help reduce injury in those who are prone to falls, according to a recent study. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults, though a dedicated exercise regimen and vitamin supplements could help decrease the risk of permanent damage. In fact, nearly 40 percent of individuals over the age of 65 fall at least once a year, and 10 percent are at risk for doing serious harm to themselves in the process.

However, introducing Vitamin D and physical therapy isn’t going to prevent these incidents from happening altogether. In fact, it’s thought that adding the aforementioned elements to your daily routine will only decrease your risk of falling by 17 percent. What’s most effective in helping those who are prone to falling is individual assessments from their primary care physicians, especially in those patients who have a history of accidents.

“Falling is “a common problem and it’s often overlooked because doctors may not be aware of their patients’ fall risk,” Dr. Albert Siu, a professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, explained to Reuters. “By asking about falls and by observing the patient in terms of walking, we might be able to asses who might be at risk and who can benefit from preventive measures.”

Eliminating “tripping hazards” in the person’s home is also key in eliminating the risk of falling. However, Sui believes that the answer to this problem lies in physical therapy, exercise, vitamin supplements, and a thorough evaluation of an individual’s balance.

This information is little different than reports from almost two years ago. The Journal of the American Medical Association presented data that suggested elderly women who take high doses of Vitamin D3 were at a higher risk for both falling and injury.