Adult in good physical shape
(Healthy) do not need to take vitamin D supplements, suggests a study in The
Lancet which found they had no beneficial effect on bone density, a sign of
osteoporosis. But experts say many other factors could be at play and
people should not stop taking supplements.
Supplementation to prevent
osteoporosis in healthy adults is not necessary. However, maintenance of
vitamin D stores in the elderly combined with sufficient dietary calcium intake
remains an effective approach for prevention of hip fractures.
Bone mineral density is a
measure of bone strength and measures the amount of bone mineral present at
different sites in the body. It is often seen as an indicator for the risk of
osteoporosis, which can lead to an increased risk of fracture.
The Department of Health
currently recommends that a daily supplement of vitamin D of 10 micrograms
(0.01mg) should be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women and people over
65, while babies aged six months to five years should take vitamin drops
containing 7 to 8.5 micrograms (0.007-0.0085mg) per day.
We get most of our vitamin D
from sunlight on our skin, but it is also found in certain foods like oily fish,
eggs and breakfast cereals. It was no good taking vitamin D supplements if
people didn't also maintain a healthy, balanced diet containing calcium and
take plenty of exercise. Most healthy people should be able to absorb enough
vitamin D naturally, through sunshine and diet.
However, taking too much
vitamin D in the form of supplements can be harmful because calcium can build
up and damage the kidneys.