According to a new study recently published in the British Medical Journal, evidence from clinical trials has found that Vitamin D supplements do not help prevent disease in most people.

Mark Bolland, associate professor of medicine at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and lead researcher, found that clinical trials have “failed to show that supplementation reduces the risk posed by falls and fractures to bones and muscles. But they recognize that it may be beneficial in people who are at high risk, such as those in nursing homes and darker-skinned people living in colder climates.” (But that’s not the ONLY thing Vitamin D does! What a short sighted study!)

From the article:

“In spring and summer in the far regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, such as the northern US and New Zealand, people tend to produce enough vitamin D through sunlight on their skin and foods in their diet. The vitamin helps the body absorb calcium to promote bone growth.
Getting enough vitamin D, calculated as 15 micrograms for ages 1 through 70 in the United States, also prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia — bone softening — in adults.” (There’s no way 15 micrograms, around 120 IU, is enough.)
But, the amount of vitamin D we make with the sun drops during autumn and winter, no matter where you are (although it varies) so it helps to eat foods high in D3, like oily fish, egg yolks, red meat, and liver. (Vegans can eat mushrooms, fortified soy and almond milk, Plant-Derived Supplements (Oral Spray or Capsules) or tofu.)
However, another article recently published found that supplements make no difference, are unlikely to do any harm, do not prevent falls or fractures, and do not protect against other conditions like heart disease or cancer.
But David Richardson, a professor of food bioscience at the University of Reading, doesn’t agree and is concerned that all this chatter will cause people to STOP taking D:
“Failure to address low vitamin D status during childhood, adolescence, for women of childbearing age and in the elderly could have serious long-term implications for public health. Action is needed now in the face of growing evidence of a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency.”
And Martin Hewison, professor of molecular endocrinology at the University of Birmingham, agrees, somewhat, “It is clear that people in the UK are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, particularly in winter. (But) the take-home message is that we need to know more about how vitamin D works before planning new clinical trials to assess its health benefits. In the meantime, Public Health England’s vitamin D recommendations are conservative and sensible, and people should be following them.”
But when it comes to Vitamin D and deficiency, conservative shouldn’t be your first word.
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Do you get enough Vitamin D? Do you know your levels? Do you know the signs of Vitamin D deficiency: darker skin, feeling sad, obesity, being over 50 years old, your bones ache, head sweating and any gut troubles. These could all be symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency or something else, so it’s best to check with a physician.

Source: CNN