Preventing fractures with vitamin D
Researchers from the US and The Netherlands reviewed the evidence.
First, the details.
- 8 studies of vitamin D3 supplementation with or without calcium were assessed.
- Data from 12,658 women were combined for a meta-analysis.
And, the results.
Compared to placebo…
- Vitamin D3 + calcium supplementation significantly lowered the incidence of non-vertebral and hip fractures.
- Vitamin D3 supplementation showed a 70% probability of being a better than placebo for preventing non-vertebral fractures, hip fractures, and non-vertebral, non-hip fractures.
Compared to calcium supplementation…
- Vitamin D3 + calcium reduced non-vertebral fractures and non-vertebral, non-hip fractures.
- It did not reduce hip fractures.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Vitamin D3 with calcium appears to achieve benefits above those attained with calcium supplementation alone for non-vertebral and non-vertebral-non-hip fractures.”
The two major forms are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol — known collectively as calciferol. Vitamin D3 is made in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol reacts with UVB ultraviolet light.
Recommended doses of vitamin D are discussed here.
3/29/10 21:21 JR