Vitamin Supplements For Older Men Articles & Resources

A recent randomized double-blind trial of the effect of four monthly supplements with oral vitamin [.3] on fractures and mortality in 2686 men and women aged 65 to 85 years was performed. All subjects were community dwelling. Individuals were excluded if they were already taking vitamin D supplements or if they had conditions that were contraindications to vitamin D supplements.

Participants completed an initial questionnaire and a modified food frequency questionnaire was performed at four years in order to estimate dietary calcium intake. Researchers sent one capsule containing 100,000 IU vitamin [.3] (cholecalciferol) or matching placebo by mail every four months for a total of five years (15 doses in total). Subjects were asked to take the capsule immediately upon receipt, complete a form indicating that they had done so, and return the form by mail. The dose used in this trial had previously been shown to be safe, to raise blood 25-hydroxyvitmain D concentrations to physiological levels achievable by lifestyle means, and to have a measurable impact on concentrations of parathyroid hormone over several weeks. Upon receipt of the capsule, subjects filled in a checklist of events (fracture and major illness) and returned the form by mail. Investigators ascertained incidences of fracture, cardiovascular disease, and cancer by using events identified from questionnaires or death certification by cause. Following four years, 235 subjects were invited to participate in a clinical measurement for serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations.

At the end of the five-year study period, 28 men and women had reported an incidence of fractures, of whom 147 had fractures in common osteoporotic sites. Relative risks in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group were (95% confidence interval to , P=) for any first fracture and ( to , P=) for first hip, wrist or forearm, or vertebral fracture. About 471 of the participants died during the study. The relative risk for total mortality in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group was ( to , P=). The findings were consistent in both men and women.

These results indicate that supplementation with 100 000 IU oral vitamin D may serve as protection against fractures in older men and women residing in the community. There does not appear to be adverse effects when taking this amount of vitamin D.

D. Trivedi, R. Doll, K. Tee Khaw. Effect of four monthly oral vitamin [.3] (cholecalciferol) supplementation on fractures and mortality in men and women living in the community; randomized double blind controlled trial. BMJ;326: pp 469-475 (March 1, 2003). [Correspondence: K T Khaw, .uk].