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Usefulness of Vitamin D supplements for bone health
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.”
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I have decided to pause taking Vitamin D for a week or so to see if that helps my "lightheadedness. That is not the right term to describe what I am experiencing but it is the closest I can come to that. If my body builds up to an off the scale reading for a water-soluble vitamin, what does it do to a fat soluble one! I have found I can keep my Vitamin B12 level at a safe one by taking it only once a week. Michael's comment about possible increased risk of falling registered with me. Although weighing less than 100lb, I do not have a lot of fat to store the Vit D in.
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1 ReactionMy vitamin D3K2 1000 (I take two a day) indicates it should be taken after a meal, preferably one that includes some fat.
Best wishes, Cindy
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3 ReactionsI am curious if prescription vitamin d (50,000 once a week) is necessary for bone meds to work their best? I’ve been on that much for a year along with fosamax after getting diagnosis of osteoporosis; barely sufficient before. Another blood test 4 months after starting prescription d along with starting
A fosamax 48.6, nine months later d levels are 48.7. So although on prescription d levels are basically unchanged. Endo said he likes high levels. Thoughts? Love this group; you just don’t get all the information from the doctors, they can’t spend hours with each patient! This site educates me on information to ask about. I actually have a 20 minute “question and answer” session with him next week!
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1 Reactionjozer, it seems as though something might be interfering with your absorption of vitamin d. Magnesium aids absorption and it can help if you don't take it with other oils, but it is said to absorb better with food. The endocrinologist I see is satisfied with labs of 30ng//mL. But I agree with your endocrinologist and like mine at 70ng/mL. Is your measurement ng/mL or nmol/L
Interesting...my D is ng/ml. I've been wondering about magnesium; that and Vitamin K. Endo said no on K (I think his response was not enough concrete evidence on it?) More for a Q&A session; will ask thanks!
to windyshores
Interesting information about vitamin D. I myself tended to have quite low vit D level 20-30 ng/ml and was sure that a low level is either one of the causes for OP or the consequence. Last time my doctor prescribed my to take 2000 international units of vit D.
Everything I've read says that you need D3 to help absorb calcium, and K2 to help direct that calcium to the bones. I've been taking both for over a year.
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2 ReactionsI have been told D must be taken with calcium in order to help bones. Never knew how important that was until osteo diagnosis. Just saw endo; he is pleased with my basically unchanged D levels (48 ish) and to keep on the 50,000 once a week. I think I will look at Vitamin K supplementation, magnesium, collagen as there seems to be positive results from a lot of you on this site. He does want to do Reclast (was on Fosamax 1 year) but I'm kicking that can down the road until I see a couple of other doctors (gyne to see what she thinks of estrogen supplementation as endo suggested seeing her, and my ortho surgeon (hip replaced 10 years ago, he happens to be an expert on bones in the tristate area but as a surgeon and bone oncologist); since there is no osteoporosis specific specialty I may as well talk to all the medical professionals!
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2 ReactionsI agree. I just had tests done and it appears as though my body is not absorbing these vitamins even though it contains K2. I do believe I am running low on magnesium and, possibly, zinc as I'm also having oral issues. Magnesium and zinc are next on the testing I'm asking for. Not quite sure why my doctor didn't know enough to include them in the first place. Good luck to all!
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1 ReactionJozer: I thought that estrogen supplementing was a good idea as well. However, it appears as though that's not suggested for someone over a certain age. I'm not asking you to reveal your age but I initially went that route and I'm glad I stopped it. Remember, anything synthetic is not always a good thing.