Published on December 27, 2024
Responses to new USPSTF recommendations and news articles such as “Key panel warns against vitamin D, calcium to prevent falls in older adults”
Key Points
- The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been receiving much media attention over the last several weeks due to their updated recommendation against vitamin D supplementation for reducing risk of fractures and falls
- Dr. Robert Heaney wrote a blog in response to previous (but similar) USPSTF recommendations made in 2013, stating that such recommendations “have rained on the parade of those of us concerned with optimizing health with vitamin D supplements and adequate dietary calcium intakes…”
- The VITAL study continues to be referred to by those who argue that vitamin D is unnecessary for bone health and fracture prevention, such as with this recent task force recommendation against vitamin D; did the VITAL analysis meet the specific nutrient study criteria as set by Dr. Robert Heaney for fracture rates, and how reliable are their conclusions?
An updated recommendation about vitamin D, falls and fractures by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been receiving much media attention over the last several weeks. Major media sources shared articles with headlines such as
Key panel warns against vitamin D, calcium to prevent falls in older adults
which stated, “While vitamin D and calcium are important for bone health and muscle function, the task force, a panel of experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine, said the supplements do little to reduce falls or fractures, and they may increase the risk of kidney stones.”
Another article by CNN was titled
which stated, “Taking vitamin D supplements did not result in a “significantly lower risk” of fractures among middle-age and older adults in one study published in 2022 in the New England Journal of Medicine,” referring to findings from the VITAL trial.
Is taking vitamin D useless for bone health or preventing fractures?
This is not the first time GrassrootsHealth has responded to this topic. A 3-part series was previously written to address the findings from the VITAL trial on vitamin D and fractures, and how that particular study failed at properly assessing the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and fracture risk. Unfortunately, the VITAL study continues to be referred to by those who argue that vitamin D is unnecessary for bone health and fracture prevention, such as with this recent task force recommendation against vitamin D. Did the VITAL analysis meet the specific nutrient study criteria as set by Dr. Robert Heaney for fracture rates, and how reliable are their conclusions? Read all 3 parts of our “Here We Go Again” series for a detailed answer to that question.
In addition, several studies have shown benefits for bone health with higher vitamin D levels and intake. One example is this study by Zhu et al., which showed that individuals with vitamin D levels at or above 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L) had a 39% lower risk of hip fracture (P=0.02) and a 30% lower risk of fracture-related hospitalization (P=0.007) compared to those with levels less than 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/L).
Dr. Robert Heaney wrote a blog in response to previous (but similar) USPSTF recommendations made in 2013. As he stated, such recommendations “have rained on the parade of those of us concerned with optimizing health with vitamin D supplements and adequate dietary calcium intakes. Or so it would seem, at least from headlines in the news stories. The recommendations were interpreted to have said that most of us shouldn’t take calcium and vitamin D supplements…” Read his full response here.
Learn more about the role of vitamin D in bone health by reading this blog, which describes the multiple ways vitamin D works to benefit the bones and musculoskeletal system.
What About Kidney Stone Risk?
The task force also warned about an increased risk of kidney stones with vitamin D supplementation. But there is something missing about this claim: evidence. Simply put, results from dozens of well-designed studies provide no evidence that vitamin D contributes to kidney stone formation. In fact, not only do high levels of vitamin D not cause kidney stones, two case-controlled studies have shown that people with low levels of vitamin D are more than twice as likely to develop a kidney stone!
How to Evaluate Vitamin D Research – Are the Conclusions Reliable?
When considering the results of published nutrient research, it can often be difficult to determine what results come from a good, well-designed study, and what results may not be as reliable due to poor study design. We created the following infographic, using Dr. Heaney’s nutrient study criteria, to help individuals determine for themselves what amount of validity the study conclusions hold. While there is a bit more to consider along with these criteria specific to vitamin D research, the infographic below is a good general guide and reminder of what to look for.
How to Assess the Validity of Vitamin D Research Infographic
Download and Share this Infographic
How Are Your Levels of Vitamin D and Other Important Nutrients?
Check your vitamin D, omega-3, HbA1c and magnesium levels today as part of the vitamin D*action project, and add the Ratios for more about how to balance your Omega-3s and 6s for better inflammation control.
Measure your:
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium PLUS Elements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- hsCRP (for Inflammation)
- HbA1c (for Blood Sugar)
- and more
Did you know that each of the above can be measured at home using a simple blood spot test? As part of our ongoing research project, you can order your home blood spot test kit to get your levels, followed by education and steps to take to help you reach your optimal target levels. Start by enrolling and ordering your kit to measure each of the above important markers, and make sure you are getting enough of each to support better mood and wellbeing!
Build your custom kit here – be sure to include your Omega-3 Index along with your vitamin D.
Start Here to Measure Your Levels
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
