Vitamin D Supplementation Slows Age-Related Bone Loss in Older Women
Until recently, it was unknown whether improving vitamin D status (without changing calcium intake) could have a positive effect on bone turnover. To that end, a group of researchers recently measured the effect of vitamin D supplementation on markers associated with bone turnover in women known to be vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL).
Participants were South Asian women at least 20 years of age. The women were categorized by age and menopausal status, then randomized to receive either 4,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo every day for 6 months.
In the women who received vitamin D supplements, average vitamin D blood levels increased from 8.4 ng/mL (21 nmol/L) to 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L). Additionally, measured chemical markers indicating bone loss either remained the same or decreased in postmenopausal women who received vitamin D supplements, indicating a reduction in bone turnover.
This research confirms that correcting vitamin D deficiencies in older women can suppress age-related increases in bone turnover, which also helps reduce bone resorption (the process by which bone breaks down and releases its minerals, resulting in a transfer of calcium from bone into the blood).