You may NOT need to take vitamin D… What?!  It has been standard of care to suggest vitamin D3 1000 – 2000 IU a day.  But, recently Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology published a study involving over 53,000 patients which looked at the effects of vitamin D supplementation on future fractures, falls, and bone mineral density.

In the analysis it was found that vitamin D supplementation (800 IU or more) did NOT reduce total fracture, hip fracture or falls.  Also, vitamin D supplementation was not found to increase bone mineral density at any site including lumbar spine, hip, femoral neck (the top of the thigh bone) or “total body.”

The question of whether vitamin D supplementation helped those with differing levels of vitamin D (those who were more deficient than others) and the results were mixed.  Eight research studies found no benefit, five trials showed mixed effects and only one trial found a positive effect, meaning one trial showed that vitamin D helped make  bones more dense (stronger).

The researchers went as far to say that if there is a future study showing a positive result from vitamin D supplementation it is unlikely to alter the conclusion they’ve already made because the outcome was so robust.

Interesting research.  Want more information?  Bolland M et al.  Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology 2018 Oct 4.