A major clinical trial discovered that vitamin D supplements do not improve bone strength or prevent fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency.
This challenges common beliefs about the effects of vitamin D on bone health.
Let's find out how it was discovered.
Vitamin D doesn't work this way
Childhood fractures are a significant global health issue, affecting about one-third of children before the age of 18 and leading to disability and poor quality of life.
Previous studies had suggested that vitamin D supplements could enhance bone strength due to their role in promoting bone mineralization.
However, no clinical trials had been conducted to test whether they could prevent fractures in children.
The researchers conducted the largest randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in those children who often faced fractures are widespread and vitamin D deficiency.
Over three years, the children received weekly oral doses of vitamin D supplements, effectively raising their vitamin D levels into the normal range.
Despite the improvement in vitamin D status, the supplements did not have any impact on fracture risk or bone strength, as measured in a subset of participants using quantitative ultrasound.
Why it's important
These findings are significant and may prompt scientists, doctors, and public health experts to reconsider the effects of vitamin D supplements on bone health.
The researchers noted that their study excluded children with existing bone complications such as rickets, and the importance of vitamin D intake for preventing rickets should not be overlooked.
The current UK government recommendation of a daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D remains important and should still be followed.
Previously, we talked about soy milk.
