Vitamin D supplements don't improve bone health, the study

There would be no evidence to justify taking vitamin D supplements for bone health. The new analysis.

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Vitamin D, still doubts, studies and research on the effectiveness of supplements

Long associated with a reduced risk of a number of conditions, such as osteoporosis and hypertension, vitamin D, in addition to keeping bones strong, would also help the body absorb calcium, which is why many use it during the dark winter months. But do supplements really improve bone mineral density by preventing fractures or falls in adults?

Established that vitamin D is important for the development of healthy, strong bones and for preventing rickets, it is understood that all babies should receive a daily dose of 8,5 mcg-10 mcg from birth up to one year of life. Children between the ages of one and four should receive 10 mcg of vitamin D supplement and those older than age should consider taking the same dose, particularly during the winter

But what seems certain, beyond extremisms that instead see supplements as a mere marketing operation - is that Vitamin D supplements are not helpful in preventing fractures or falls, nor would they have a significant effect on bone mineral density.

This is supported by a study that carried out a large-scale review of studies on vitamin D supplements conducted in adults. The research, published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, analyzed data from 81 randomized controlled trials - involving more than 53 people - that investigated whether the over-the-counter supplement helped prevent fractures, falls and improved bone density. . Most of the studies involved women over the age of 65.

The large meta-analysis - led by experts Mark Bolland and Andrew Gray of the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Professor Alison Avenell of Aberdeen University - showed that there would be no evidence to justify taking vitamin D supplements for bone health.

According to Bolland, things have changed since 2014, when the last major review of the evidence was carried out. Over the past four years, "over 30 randomized controlled trials on vitamin D and bone health have been published, nearly doubling the available evidence base."

"Our meta-analysis finds that vitamin D does not prevent fractures, falls or improve bone mineral density, in high or low doses."

This is why according to the researchers, the next step would be to change the guidelines followed by doctors and health professionals who until now have always recommended the use of vitamin D supplements in case of osteoporosis. Adding that "based on the existing evidence, we believe there is little justification for further studies of vitamin D supplements examining musculoskeletal outcomes."

Conversely, the same research also concludes that supplements are nonetheless useful in the prevention of rare conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia in high-risk groups, which can occur after a prolonged lack of exposure to sunlight, resulting in deficiency.

The pros and cons of vitamin D supplements are and will always be debated. What seems certain is that, generally, it is better to stock it up, especially through the sun and certain foods. Here you will find all the tips on how to stock up on vitamin D in a completely natural way.