Vitamin D seems to be the new big thing. I've had multiple friends tell me they were feeling tired, then they were diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and started feeling better after taking supplements. We check Vit D levels all the time on patients. I myself have been a believer in the Vit D hype, and even take supplements myself.
But now this review has come out, stating that "Routine vitamin D supplementation does not prolong life, decrease the
incidence of cancer or cardiovascular disease, or decrease fracture
rates... Randomized
controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of
depression, fatigue, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain show no benefit,
even in persons with low levels at baseline."
Interesting. I have to admit, it gives me pause. Is all the Vit D hype over nothing? Is this like when I used to take zinc when I thought I was getting sick?
What you need is sunshine. V-D is a marker for sun exposure.
ReplyDeleteMy theory anyway!
Doctor tells me to stay out of the sun-skin cancer! Then he tells me to take vitamin d, I seem to be deficient. Well, duh.
DeleteAs a clinical biochemist, my opinion is that there are "some" benefits to it but they are way more subtle than what they are touted to be. Even systematic screening in patients is, imho, a waste of money. Low-dose supplementation in deficiency suspected cases would be more than enough, economically speaking than testing, considering the low-toxicity (if given in low-doses). The problem is, as you stated, the hype. I've seen so many people, including docs, touting this as the next big thing. It's not.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree.
DeleteI think it’s that all-powerful placebo effect.
ReplyDeleteI have a true deficiency. I fall if I do not take a prescription supplement and daily OTC. It took forever for the docs to figure out what was causing my balance issue because I was in my 40's when I was diagnosed.
ReplyDelete*Mary
Sad day for drug companies
ReplyDeleteI would recommend this--
ReplyDeletehttps://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-rise-and-inevitable-fall-of-vitamin-d/