Vitamin D and Fractures

A new paper published in the July 5 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine examined the data from a dozen large double-blind, randomized controlled studies and found that an average daily intake of at least 800 IU per day reduced the risk of a fracture significantly, and specifically a 30% reduction in the risk of hip fracture. Lower doses of vitamin D do not have this effect. In the adult population it is difficult to get enough vitamin D through the diet--you can only eat so much oily fish--and adults have less direct sun exposure. The authors recommend 1000 to 2000 IU of vitamin D per day, as adults sometimes forget their supplements, and this amount would ensure adequacy. Other studies have shown vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to be superior vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). 


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