According to new research out of the University of Alberta, vitamin D supplements may not provide significant health benefits.
In recent years, vitamin D has been flaunted as a way to reduce falls and fractures, and prevent or treat multiple sclerosis, arthritis and depression. However, Michael Allan, a professor of Family Medicine at the U of A, suggests much of that belief isn’t supported by scientific study.
During their research, Allan and his colleagues reviewed 1,600 studies to examine the evidence for 10 common beliefs about vitamin D. They found little to no conclusive evidence that vitamin D supplementation offers any benefits.
“Wouldn’t it be great if there was a single thing that you or I could do to be healthy that was as simple as taking a vitamin, which seems benign, every day?” says Allan. “There is an appeal to it. There is a simplicity to it. But for the average person, they don’t need it.”
Allan adds that taking the recommended daily dose of 1,000 International Units per day is still advisable. He notes that much of the existing research around vitamin D has been poorly executed and consists of poor quality evidence, so better quality research is needed.
However, many patients suffering from MS have take vitamin D supplements to help ease their symptoms. The MS Society of Canada made the following statement to Global News regarding this issue:
“The MS Society of Canada understands that the link between vitamin D deficiency and MS is a topic that is of great interest to people affected by MS. There is ongoing research that aims to determine whether supplementation with vitamin D can improve outcomes in people with MS, both alone and in combination with disease-modifying treatments, and the MS Society is watching the results of that research closely. The MS Society is working with researchers and clinicians to provide information about vitamin D in hopes of achieving greater clarity for people affected by MS. At present, the MS Society encourages individuals living with MS who are exploring options in regard to their health to maintain ongoing consultations with their healthcare team.”
As a result, you may want to reconsider the forms of treatment you are offering to your patients—both those with MS and otherwise. Talk to them about the benefits—and setbacks—they may be experiencing from taking vitamin D supplements.
