There is little benefit for those over 70 taking higher dose vitamin D supplements to improve their bone strength and reduce the risk of falls, research has revealed.
Older people are often encouraged to take supplements of vitamin D to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. But a Newcastle University-led study has backed previous research which shows there is no gain for older people taking vitamin D.
Almost 400 people, aged 70 years or older, were randomly allocated to one of three doses of vitamin D given once a month for a year – the doses were 300mg, 600mg or 1,200mg (equivalent to a daily dose of 10mg, 20mg or 40mg).
The study's aim – funded by Versus Arthritis – was to measure in these older people the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the change in bone mineral density (BMD), a recognised indicator of bone strength, and changers in markers of bone metabolism.
The findings revealed that there was no change in BMD over 12 months between the three doses. However, the study did show that doses equivalent to 40mg a day are safe in an older population and there was a beneficial effect on bone metabolism up to the highest dose.
Dr Terry Aspray, honorary clinical senior lecturer at Newcastle University's Institute of Cellular Medicine, UK, who is supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, led the vitamin D supplementation in older people study (VDOP). He said: "Vitamin D deficiency is common in older people, and it may lead to bone loss, impairment of muscle function and an increased risk of falls and fractures.
"The results from previous studies assessing the effect of vitamin D on bone mineral density have yielded conflicting results, and our study is a significant contribution to the current debate.
"While our findings do not support evidence of the benefit of high dose vitamin D supplements, at least on bone mineral density, we do, however, identify that higher doses of the vitamin may have beneficial effects on bone metabolism and that they are safe for older people.
"I would suggest that older people should focus on maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, adequate sun exposure and take regular exercise to keep their bones as strong as possible.
"While some may need to take vitamin D supplements, there is little benefit to taking more than 10mg a day."
Further analysis is underway, including by a Newcastle University PhD student, on the effects sun exposure on vitamin D levels in older people and the impact of vitamin D supplements on muscle strength.
Experts are also looking at the impact of genes and kidney function on vitamin D levels and their function in the blood.
Benjamin Ellis, Versus Arthritis senior clinical policy adviser, said: "Older people are at increased risk of falls and fractures, which are debilitating and erode people's self-confidence, depriving them of their independence.
"Vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones and muscles. People who are deficient in vitamin D are at increased risk of falls and fractures.
"In the summer months, Vitamin D is manufactured by the body when sunlight falls on the skin. We can also get vitamin D from certain foods, or dietary supplements.
"Over the one year of this study, higher doses of vitamin D neither improved measures of bone strength nor reduced falls among older people.
"The current guidance is still that people at risk of low vitamin D should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement, as should everyone during the winter months.
"Work is needed to implement effective strategies to prevent falls and fractures among older people, and to understand the role of medications and dietary supplements in this."
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in older people and may lead to increased bone resorption, bone loss, and increased falls and fractures. However, clinical trials assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) have yielded conflicting results.
Objectives: This study examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on BMD at the hip, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Methods: A total of 379 adults aged ≥70 y (48% women; mean age: 75 y) from the northeast of England were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 doses of vitamin D3 [12,000 international units (IU), 24,000 IU, or 48,000 IU] given once a month. The primary outcome was change in BMD (ΔBMD) at the hip. Secondary endpoints comprised the dose effects on femoral neck BMD, falls, circulating calciotropic hormones, bone turnover markers, and adverse events.
Results: The mean ± SD baseline plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration was 40.0 ± 20.1 nmol/L, which increased after 12 mo to a mean 25(OH)D of 55.9, 64.6, or 79.0 nmol/L for participants receiving a monthly dose of 12,000, 24,000, or 48,000 IU, respectively (P < 0.01 for difference). There was no between-group difference in ΔBMD. However, parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased in all 3 groups, with a significantly greater decrease in the 48,000-IU group compared with the 12,000-IU group (P < 0.01). There were no differences in any adverse events between groups, with 3 cases of hypercalcemia, none of nephrolithiasis, and 249 falls observed.
Conclusions: There was no difference in change in BMD over 12 mo between the 3 doses of vitamin D, suggesting no effect of the intervention or a similar attenuation of the anticipated decrease in BMD over 12 mo. The treatment was safe and effective in increasing plasma 25(OH)D concentrations, with no dose-related adverse events
Authors
Terry J Aspray, Thomas Chadwick, Roger M Francis, Elaine McColl, Elaine Stamp, Ann Prentice, Alexander von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, Inez Schoenmakers
[link url="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2019/01/vitamindresearch/"]Newcastle University material[/link]
[link url="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ajcn/nqy280/5280801"]American Journal of Clinical Nutrition abstract[/link]