Researchers doubt the effect of vitamin D.

Study questions the benefits of vitamin D

07/03/2014

Vitamin D is considered a panacea for the prevention of cancer, diabetes, vascular diseases, depression and other diseases. In addition, the intake of vitamin D pills to reduce the risk of fractures, as the hormone plays an important role in the regulation of calcium balance. In several studies, however, the positive effect of vitamin D was called into question. Recently, French scientists came to the conclusion that a lack of vitamin D is not the cause, but the result of certain diseases.

Lack of vitamin D may not be the cause but the result of a disease
The intake of vitamin D supplements is advocated by many doctors. The hormone, from which only precursors can be formed by the body itself, is considered an all-purpose weapon against many diseases. Vitamin D deficiency should also lead to an increased risk of various diseases.

Doctors of the International Preventive Care Institute (ipri) in Lyon have recently gained new insights. A cross-sectional study with 300 relevant studies showed that a low vitamin D level in the blood is not the reason for certain diseases, but rather the consequence. „People who take vitamin D supplements are no better protected against vascular disease, diabetes or cancer“, quotes the „Basler newspaper“ the lead author of the study, Philippe Autier. While most of the research done by the team around Autier confirmed the association between low levels of vitamin D and increased risk of disease, others failed to prove that preventive use of vitamin D protects against certain diseases. The latter were so-called intervention studies that evaluate the effects of active measures. „As a result, the observed low vitamin levels are most likely a result of the associated diseases“, summarizes Autier's findings in the journal „The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology“ were published together. A vitamin D deficiency could be the cause of a chronic inflammation, as certain immune cells would contribute to the degradation of the substance.

Vitamin D supplements have little benefit
New Zealand researchers led by Mark Bolland from the University of Auckland came in their study, which also appeared in January „The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology“ concluded that vitamin D pills have little benefit. They also suspect that vitamin D deficiency is not the cause but rather the result of certain health problems.

The researchers investigated in 40 trials, if the intake of vitamin D supplements actually leads to a reduction of the risk of certain diseases by at least 15 percent. As it turned out, only seniors benefit from the pills. In this age group, vitamin D reduced the risk of fractures. Overall, the risk of disease could only be reduced by a maximum of 15 percent by the vitamin D supplements. The prescription of such means, as it is currently common practice, must therefore be reconsidered, write the researchers.

So far, there are few suitable study data for the evaluation of a preventive effect of vitamin D.
Other experts such as the dermatologist Jörg Reichrath from the Saarland University Hospital and Heike Bischoff-Ferrari from the University Hospital Zurich disagree. It was very well studied how the vitamin D receptor supports a variety of immune functions of the body, explained Reichrath to the „Basler newspaper“. „Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and hypotensive effects“, the newspaper quotes vitamin D expert Bischoff-Ferrari. The two experts believe in the effect of the hormone and that about 60 percent of the population suffer from vitamin D deficiency and are therefore not adequately protected.

Autier has another theory about vitamin D deficiency. He suspects behind an advertising message. „There is a strong influence of the manufacturers of vitamin preparations, measuring instruments and also the solarium industry.“ The latter would try to improve their image as they are primarily associated with skin cancer. Reichrath rejects a commercial influence. Especially in vitamin D research, sponsorship by the pharmaceutical industry is rare. Therefore, there are no high-quality study data on the preventive effect of the hormone. A corresponding investigation is in planning.

While the use of vitamin D supplements remains controversial, however, experts agree on the vitamin D deficiency syndromes of childhood rickets and adult osteomalacia. These are the exception in highly civilized countries. Those affected suffer from bone deformities and pain, as the body is no longer able to absorb enough calcium from the intestine due to vitamin D deficiency. Babies therefore receive prophylactic vitamin D. (ag)