It is believed that adequate amounts of vitamin D has significant benefits for heart health, cancer prevention or even bone health in healthy people but according to new research released this week from researchers in New Zealand, vitamin D supplements just aren’t enough to protect against these illnesses.
“Vitamin D supplements likely provide few, if any, health benefits,” said Dr. Mark Bolland of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who led the research.
For the study, Bolland and his colleagues reviewed 40 scientifically rigorous studies that looked at whether taking vitamin D in supplement form would bring health benefits. The review focused only on randomized trials, in which people were assigned to take vitamin D or placebos and then followed to see if their health differed as a result. It did not include observational studies, in which researchers simply asked people about vitamin D intake or measured levels in their blood and then looked at their health differences.
The full study results can be found in the January 25 issue of The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
This is the latest study to be questioned as to whether supplements, which account for a $28 billion industry in the United States, can provide health benefits to healthy adults.
While the best and most natural source of vitamin D is produced in the body when it is exposed to sunlight, there are a few foods that provide vitamin D. Click the link to see which foods to add to your diet to ensure your body is getting enough vitamin D.
