Does Vitamin D Supplementation Alone Prevent Fractures?

Meta-analysis shows a small benefit for vitamin D and calcium together but not for vitamin D alone.

Some experts recommend calcium plus vitamin D supplementation to lower risk for fractures, but many people take vitamin D alone. To compare these approaches, investigators performed a meta-analysis of 11 randomized, controlled trials of vitamin D alone (>34,000 participants) and 6 similar studies of vitamin D plus calcium (>49,000 participants), with mean follow-ups of roughly 3 and 6 years, respectively.

Risk for any fracture or hip fracture was not lower with vitamin D alone compared with placebo; notably, vitamin D dosing regimens varied widely (400 international units/day to 500,000 IU/year). The studies of vitamin D (400–800 IU/day) plus calcium (1000–1200 mg/day) showed a 6% relative reduction in risk for any fracture and a 16% relativ…

Reviewing Authors

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Allan S. Brett, MD

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Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Does Vitamin D Supplementation Alone Prevent Fractures?

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Reviewing Authors