Vitamin D supplements

[Indigo 'n dye]

Consider the source, but an interesting article nonetheless.

 

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/GeneralEndocrinology/43956

 

"Existing evidence does not lend support to the commonly held belief that vitamin D supplementation in general prevents osteoporosis, fractures, and nonskeletal diseases," he wrote. "Consequently, the impression that vitamin D is a sunshine vitamin and that increasing doses lead to improved health is far from clear.

 

© 2013 MedPage Today,.

[vanderk]

Has any study of vitamin supplementation (no matter which vitamin) ever demonstrated preventative benefit?  We can only demonstrate the effects of deficiencies and excessive levels of these compounds.  It certainly makes sense to supplement if one's diet is not going to provide adequate nutrients (or living in a high northern latitude where the sun don't shine...at least not this winter).  The issue, as I read it, has much to do with the benefits of supplementation where there is a vulnerability to a condition, or one that already exists (e.g. your autoimmune conditions.  Prevention studies are always the toughest ones to demonstrate an effect.

 

As an aside, I have never seen the term "futility analysis" before.  I'm too many years away from academia, I fear.

[olga]

I've read that about Vitamin D before, but my experience was different.  When I used sun screen liberally and took calcium with D added, my osteopenia got worse every time I was checked.  Two years ago I stopped using sunscreen on my arms and legs, and in the winter I began taking 2,000iu of Vitamin D per day. I stopped taking calcium.  My last bone density test was excellent, and my rate of bone loss is MUCH less than it was for the past 8 years.

 

I think I'm sticking with my D for a while.   Besides, it's good to get that half an hour of sunshine every day when you can. 

 

olga

Edited February 6, 2014 by olga
misspelling

[Indigo 'n dye]

It was, however, nice to read an article with documentation rather that all those hyperbolic "cosmetic" articles that promise the Fountain of Youth if we just take enough supplements.

 

I too will continue to take my supplements, expose my arms and legs to direct sunlight in the morning and late afternoon and wonder why Vit D lowered the number of hip fractures in care facilities, but not in the public at large.

[crtclms]

There have been studies that have found large doses of vitamin D helps migraineurs. I take 5000 twice a day, which is a lot, but as I said, some studies....

[forgetmenot220]

I took vitamin D, it gave me a kidney stone. No more vitamin D, lol.

[ninetynine]

There is a lot of debate out there about whether Vitamin D supplements are needed. Those in favour claim that a deficiency will increase our vulnerability to a very broad range of health issues, including osteoporosis. Time will tell whether we need to do it. I will continue to take the supplements, as my system tolerates them.

 

What I found out from recent medical adventures, was that some medications can deplete Vitamin D from the body. I have not seen much discussion of this from the advocates or from the naysayers. 

[melissaw72]

I got my Vit D level done last year and it was 37.  My DR didn't seem concerned.  I've been going back and forth though wondering if I should supplement or not.  I've *read* that under 50 is considered low, but I don't remember where I read that.

[saveyoursanity]

I'm a dark lady in a high latitude, so I'm pretty sure if I didn't want to my doctor would come to my house and make me take the vitamins.  My vitamin D levels have been stuck at 18/19 for the last 6 months despite large augmentation so I'll be supplementing for the near future.