Usefulness of Vitamin D supplements for bone health

Posted by windyshores @windyshores, Jul 28, 2022

I was surprised to read this one study on Vitamin D supplementation. I would expect a recommendation to wear less sunscreen! Of course, the opinion may change in the medical establishment, as it often does. See below:

That daily vitamin D pill doesn't lower risk of bone fractures, study finds
It has seemed like such a good idea for such a long time, but a large new study in NEJM again knocks down vitamin D taken as a supplement or part of a multivitamin, concluding it does not help prevent broken bones. When our bodies make the vitamin from sunlight or eat it in food, yes, it helps keep bones healthy. But daily doses of supplemental vitamin D did not significantly lower total bone fractures, nonvertebral fractures, or hip fractures in a study of 25,871 adults, more than half of whom were women, and one-fifth were Black.

“The key here is that it takes only small to moderate amounts of vitamin D to improve bone health to maintain bone health,” study leader JoAnn Manson of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who has led multiple vitamin D studies, told STAT’s Elissa Welle. “And more is not necessarily better.”

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Michael Lavacot | @michaellavacot | Apr 13 12:59pm

From all of the trainings and studies I have seen, too little or too much vitamin D is harmful for bones. The optimal 25(OH)D3 levels for osteoporosis treatments are between 30-50ng/mL (75-125nmol/L). It's really tough to get enough from the sun and almost impossible if you wear sunscreen. The good news is that the D3 supplements are identical to the D3 your body produces. Attached is a summary slide outlining what I have found on vitamin D.

The bottom line is adjust your vitamin D3 intake to get 25(OH)D3 levels between 30-50ng/mL (75-125nmol/L).

windyshores | @windyshores | Apr 13 3:50pm

On Tymlos I needed 3,000 units while on Tymlos. I read that it "eats D3." Sure enough it stayed the same at 52 for those two years.

sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 12 7:20am

In reply to @kayhaun "In terms of bone deterioration, as with so many other health problems, everyone’s bones do weaken..." + (show)

Hi
My endocrinologist put me on. Vit D with K my numbers were low. Have osteopenia and osteoporosis in spine with t7 compression fracture.

dianeelizabeth | @dianeelizabeth | Jun 13 7:49am

I made a conscious effort to all winter to go out in the sun 20-30 minutes but exposure was restricted to my face only with no sunscreen (I live in Ottawa, Canada). I supplemented 2000 IUs of Vit D all winter and tested in March at 75 nmol/L (30 ng/mL). I can't see how anyone in a northern climate would get enough Vit D naturally. My understanding is that you can store Vit D so wondering if a trip south would help. Does anyone know how long you can store it for and what amounts?