For most healthy adults, vitamin D supplements are not worth it, the researchers say in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Not everyone agrees, and the debate is far from done. Here, two experts address the most common questions about vitamin D supplements. Evidence shows that vitamin D helps bone health, he says. But early studies that show vitamin D may help in other areas, such as heart health and cancer prevention, are not convincing.
Key Takeaways:
- There is no high quality evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to prevent disease, according to new research.
- Looking at a large sample of published research, researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland concluded that there were no benefits to taking vitamin D supplements for muscle and bone health.
- Vitamin D is produced by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight and it helps maintain calcium levels in the body, which keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
“Looking at a large sample of published research, researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland concluded that there were no benefits to taking vitamin D supplements for muscle and bone health.”