Supplemental Vitamin D and Incident Fractures in Midlife and Older Adults

Vitamin D supplements are widely recommended for bone health, but their efficacy in preventing fractures remains inconsistent. This ancillary study of the Vitamin D and Omega 3 Trial (VITAL) investigated whether supplemental vitamin D₃ (2000 IU per day) reduced fracture risk compared to placebo in generally healthy U.S. adults aged 50+ (men) and 55+ (women). Over a median follow up of 5.3 years, no significant difference was observed in incident total, nonvertebral, or hip fractures between the vitamin D and placebo groups (hazard ratios: 0.98, 0.97, and 1.01, respectively). Subgroup analyses by baseline characteristics, including vitamin D levels, also showed no effect modification. The study concluded that vitamin D₃ supplementation did not lower fracture risk in adults not selected for deficiency or osteoporosis.

Vitamin D supplements are widely recommended for bone health, but their efficacy in preventing fractures remains inconsistent. This ancillary study of the Vitamin D and Omega 3 Trial (VITAL) investigated whether supplemental vitamin D₃ (2000 IU per day) reduced fracture risk compared to placebo in generally healthy U.S. adults aged 50+ (men) and 55+ (women). Over a median follow up of 5.3 years, no significant difference was observed in incident total, nonvertebral, or hip fractures between the vitamin D and placebo groups (hazard ratios: 0.98, 0.97, and 1.01, respectively). Subgroup analyses by baseline characteristics, including vitamin D levels, also showed no effect modification. The study concluded that vitamin D₃ supplementation did not lower fracture risk in adults not selected for deficiency or osteoporosis.