Is vitamin D useless for bones?
Dietary supplements with vitamin D do not strengthen bones
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
Vitamin D is formed in the human body naturally under the influence of sunlight on the skin. However, residents of the Nordic countries often face a shortage of this substance. For a long time it was believed that it was possible to fill the deficit with the help of dietary supplements, but scientists have dispelled this myth.
Dietary supplements with vitamin D are often considered as a good means to strengthen bones. The UK Department of Health even recommends taking them from October to March, during periods of lack of sunlight. However, studies conducted over the past four years cast doubt on the benefits of vitamin D in tablets.
Specialists from Auckland (New Zealand) and Aberdeen (UK) universities summarized these data in a single meta-analysis. According to the Guardian (with reference to the article Effects of vitamin D supplementation on musculoskeletal health: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal – VM), they combined the results of 81 separate studies and concluded that dietary supplements with vitamin D are not capable of strengthen the bones.
The analysis showed that such drugs do not prevent fractures or a decrease in bone density, regardless of dosage.
The only exception is some people suffering from osteomalacia, a form of rickets. Most of the studies in the analysis were devoted to the effect of vitamin D supplements on elderly patients at risk of osteoporosis, however, the authors believe that their conclusions are true for all adults.
According to scientists, their work puts an end to the question of the alleged benefits of vitamin D in tablets. Although the opinion that such supplements strengthen bones is widely replicated by doctors and social networks, it is another myth.
New research should address the question of whether vitamin D medications can prevent other health problems. The authors recommend that the British government change the recommendations for the use of vitamin D.
Instead of agitating people to take useless supplements, it is necessary to talk about products that can provide the body with this vital element. Among them are cod liver, egg yolk, offal and sea fish.
In addition, the production of the necessary amounts of vitamin D can be stimulated by maintaining the health of the symbiotic microflora.
Vitamin D supplements repeat the fate of other vitamins and dietary supplements that have become the object of criticism by researchers. For example, Canadian scientists have concluded that taking calcium, antioxidants and multivitamins does not bring any health benefits. The only exception was folic acid supplements.
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