It Turns Out You May Not Need That Vitamin D Supplement

More research questions the health benefits provided by vitamin D supplments.

• A new study finds vitamin D does not effect bone fracture rates among middle-aged and older adults.
• This builds on research that finds vitamin D supplements don't prevent heart attacks, strokes or cancer.
• Vitamin D is taken by roughly a third of people over the age of 60 in the U.S.

Vitamin D is one of the most commonly taken supplements in the U.S., consumed by an estimated one-third of people age 60 and older. For decades, doctors have touted the vitamin’s ability to help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, which help bone growth, reduce cancer cell growth, and control infections.

But a growing body of evidence shows that vitamin D doesn’t provide the other benefits doctors once thought. A large, new study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine finds vitamin D (taken with or without calcium) has no effect on bone fracture rates, even for participants with low levels of vitamin D.

This news follows results from the same study finding that vitamin D does not significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular events or cancer. Data also show it does not prevent cognitive decline or reduce the risk of falling in older adults. An editorial about the findings makes a stark recommendation: vitamin D supplementation is not necessary for healthy adults."

Read the full available article on Psychology Today

Reflection: Why do you take Vitamin D supplement? Do you agree that it might not be necessary?

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