Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent Fractures?

In a large, randomized trial, supplementation did not prevent fractures in relatively healthy middle-aged and older adults.

Although many people take vitamin D supplements for “bone health,” clinical research has not shown convincingly that routine vitamin D supplementation prevents fractures. In this latest study — the landmark VITAL trial — 26,000 relatively healthy, community-dwelling U.S. adults (age, ≥50) were randomized to take 2000 IU of vitamin D₃ or placebo daily.* Participants were permitted to take calcium supplements not exceeding 1200 mg daily, and ≈20% did so. At baseline, average blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was 31 ng/mL.

During average follow-up of 5 years, incidences of total fractures, nonvertebral fractures, and hip fractures were virtually identical in the vitamin D and placebo groups. A secondary endpoint of “major osteoporoti…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent Fractures?

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Reviewing Author