Vitamin D, necessary for human health, has long been provided in supplements.  However, as a new study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reports, supplementation of vitamin D may not be as effective as some may think.  The researchers noted that the association of a vitamin D insufficiency with many disorders has resulted in widespread support of using vitamin D supplements.

The research team studied the effects of vitamin D supplementation on myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease, stroke or cerebrovascular disease, cancer, total fracture, hip fracture, and mortality.  Fox News reports that, overall, the researchers found that vitamin D supplements failed to significantly reduce the risk of death, heart disease, cancer and stroke among study participants. Among both healthy and hospitalized patients, Vitamin D supplements also failed to noticeably reduce the risk of hip fractures.  This held true when the vitamin D supplement was administered with or without calcium.

Instead of using supplements, Dr. Colin Michie, consultant senior lecturer in pediatrics and chairman of the nutrition committee at the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health recommends traditional advice.  Change the diet and make necessary lifestyle changes, vitamin D supplements should be considered only for those with a specific risk.  Dr. Michie’s recommendation and the current study are not alone on this position.  In December, an editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine described supplements as a waste of money.

The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health describes vitamin D as a nutrient found in some foods that is needed for health and to maintain strong bones. It does so by helping the body absorb calcium (one of bone’s main building blocks) from food and supplements. People who get too little vitamin D may develop soft, thin, and brittle bones.

Very few foods have vitamin D, but the best sources are fatty fish.  The body also produces vitamin D when the skin comes in contact with sunlight.  However, despite the importance of the sun to vitamin D synthesis, it is prudent to limit exposure of skin to sunlight in order to lower the risk for skin cancer.  Recommended intake levels of vitamin D are 600 International Units for everyone ages 1 to 70, and 800 after age 70.  These levels are set on the assumption of little sun exposure.