Health experts have long advised not to over rely on supplements. They should only be taken in conjunction with a balanced diet to ensure that you receive your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
Seniors are often told by their doctor to take a vitamin D supplement, which can aid in preserving bone density and health. However, there are some mixed opinions about vitamin D in pill form. In fact, various studies yield conflicting reports about the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements.
Due to the inconsistency from prior research, a new study has collected data from 11 previous clinical studies, which consist of a total of over 31,000 participants over the age of 65. It found that vitamin D is in fact capable of reducing the risk of bone fracture, though only when taken in high doses.
The report showed that when combined with calcium, those who consumed more than 800 international units of vitamin D daily reduced the likelihood of bone fracture by up to 14 percent.
The high dose would account for the inconsistent findings in previous studies, in which subjects consumed vitamin D in various amounts.
Despite the findings, some experts still say that consuming more than 800 IU of vitamin D in capsule form is unnecessary. This is because vitamin D can be found in most foods and is even produced in the body naturally when exposed to sunlight.
Even with the recent research, some researchers say there is still not enough evidence to conclude that vitamin D plays a role in preventing bone fracture. Even the recommended dose of 800 IU a day is not a set figure, as the daily amount really differs from one person to the next.
As always, the best recommendation is to eat a balanced diet and never look to supplements as a substitute. This goes for Vitamin D as well as for all other vitamins and minerals.