Falls, Fractures Linked to High-Dose Vitamin D

Shelf-life expired? The cure du jour bites the dust.

Older women given a single high dose of vitamin D every year had an increased rate of falls and fractures, compared with placebo, researchers said.

Although researchers had expected a benefit for the supplements, those getting the vitamin had a 15% increase in the risk of falls and a 26% increase in the risk of falls with a fracture, according to Kerrie Sanders, PhD, of the University of Melbourne in Geelong, Australia, and colleagues.

Women in the treatment arm of a large randomized double-blind trial also had an increased risk of fracture for any reason, Sanders and colleagues said in the May 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The result was surprising, the researchers said, since other studies had shown a benefit for vitamin D supplements, albeit given at lower doses and more often.

Still think they have any idea what they are talking about?