Dec 21, 2011
New Research Questions Vitamin D Health Claims
Though vitamin D has been linked to numerous health benefits, including everything from prevention of bone fractures to staving off the common cold, new research reviews published in the Annals of Internal Medicine say there is little evidence behind some of those claims. The reviews found, for example, that vitamin D alone was not sufficient protection against bone fractures, though when combined with extra calcium there was more evidence that it helped prevent broken bones in the elderly. The reviews also found, with respect to cancer, that the vitamin may have a positive effect in lowering risk of colon cancer but there was less evidence that it would protect against other forms of cancer. In short, there are indications that taking vitamin D supplements may produce a number of positive health benefits but there is insufficient scientific evidence to back up the number of health benefits linked to the vitamin. More here.
