The TRUTH About Vitamin D and Your Bones
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 17, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you’ve watched the news lately, you may have noticed that vitamin D has been taking a lashing.
First, some guy hoping to avoid COVID ended up in the hospital after taking 150,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily.
That’s 250 times the recommended daily allowance.
Needless to say, that’s an EXTREMELY high dosage that goes well beyond what the average person would get in a supplement. But the media took the opportunity to label the vitamin “dangerous” anyway.
Next came the results of a big study. It was published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
The research followed 25,871 people who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for five years. The authors say that taking vitamin D didn’t prevent bone fractures in people 55 and older. Specifically, they concluded that supplementing with vitamin D didn’t lower the risk of bone fractures, nonvertebral fractures, or hip fractures.
But there are two critical things you need to know about this study.
The first is that the researchers didn’t separate people who had low vitamin D at the beginning of the study from those who didn’t. It’s a clear mistake.
It’s easy to see that giving people who already have enough vitamin D even more of the nutrient isn’t going to do anything more for their bones. On the other hand, I have a stack of research studies on my desk that prove giving people who DON’T have enough vitamin D more of the nutrient DOES help support their bones.
Your bones require MUCH more than just calcium alone to grow strong and healthy. To build good bones, you need a variety of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and chromium.
But vitamin D has a unique job to do. It helps move calcium into your bone, where it can be put to work building stronger bones.
Vitamin D’s benefits don’t end with bone health, either. This vital vitamin has also been shown to help support:
- Muscle strength
- Skin health
- Blood sugar control
- Heart health
- Brain health
- Immune health
The bottom line is despite the recent media backlash, vitamin D is critical for both your bone and overall health. A simple blood test will reveal if you’re one of the many who are deficient in the vitamin.
But don’t stop with vitamin D. If you want to build and maintain strong, healthy bones as you age, I have more suggestions.
Dr. Scott’s Healthy Bone Plan:
- Protein is the forgotten nutrient when it comes to good bone health. Most proteins help with bone growth, but collagen is essential for building good bones. I take a powdered collagen supplement myself because it’s hard to get enough collagen through diet alone.
- Vitamin C works hand-in-hand with protein to create a collagen matrix that holds all the necessary bone minerals.
- Vitamin K is another often overlooked but essential nutrient for bone building. Studies show it can help increase bone mineral density and reduce fractures. But remember, if you’re on blood thinners, check with your doctor before taking vitamin K.
- Many minerals are also important for bone health, including magnesium, boron, copper, and chromium.
- Exercise doesn’t just help your muscles The extra movement also helps you build strong bones and maintain that strength as you age.
PS: As that guy who loaded up on massive amounts of vitamin D found out, getting too much of a good thing can backfire on you. But D isn’t the only vitamin you can overdo. In fact, too much of this OTHER vitamin could shatter your bones.
SOURCE:
“Supplemental Vitamin D and Incident Fractures in Midlife and Older Adults,” N Engl J Med 2022; 387:299-309, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2202106
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Brain Fog? Your Thermostat Could Be the SURPRISING Culprit
Cranking up the heat in winter or blasting the AC in summer can send your utility bills soaring. So, it’s no surprise that many of us choose to grit our teeth and endure it. But that could be a huge mistake. New research reveals that extreme indoor temperatures don’t just make you uncomfortable—they could be...
Nature's Powerful COVID-19 Defense REVEALED
While Big Pharma scrambles to cash in on new COVID-19 treatments, Mother Nature already has powerful allies waiting in the wings. A groundbreaking review in the journal Nutrients revealed a secret that Big Pharma won’t advertise—common herbs and supplements could ease mild COVID-19 symptoms. And the best part? You won’t need a prescription or to...
Women, Don’t Ignore These 5 Signs!
I’ve spent decades in medicine, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that women are tough as nails. They’re pros at pushing through discomfort and brushing off warning signs. But that strength can also be their biggest health risk. Feeling tired? Well, of course—after all, you’re juggling a million things! Short of breath? It...
5 Warning Signs Men Should NEVER Ignore!
Men—listen up. I know you pride yourself on being tough. You insist on pushing through and refuse to make a fuss about “every little ache and pain.” But here’s the cold, hard truth… That tough guy act? It could KILL you. As a doctor I get an unwanted first-row seat to some hard-learned lessons. Hardly...
Mailbag: Is Your Gut Secretly Attacking Your Joints?
“Can a leaky gut cause sudden onset arthritis? My wife has developed arthritis over a 2-month period that is almost debilitating at this point, and she has constant diarrhea. Are these symptoms connected in some way?” -Leaky and Lost Hi Lost, When my patients ask me about leaky gut, my answer is always the same: “It’s...
“Brain Brew” SLASHES Dementia Risk
If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m a coffee fan. There are plenty of good reasons to stay that way. In fact, I shared a reason just last week. But I’ve also made room in my life for another hot beverage—and that’s green tea. Now, new research suggests it was a...
Nature's New Mood Booster? (It's Already in Your Kitchen!)
Scientists uncovered something surprising hiding in plain sight in our kitchens. And it might turn out to be nature’s answer to fighting depression. The best part? You’re probably already eating it… Let’s find out. An exciting new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that naturally occurring spermidine could help keep the blues...
Coffee Mug Hack Could Head Off Cancer
If you’re a coffee lover, it doesn’t get much better than that first cup of morning coffee. But before you reach for your favorite mug, I have some news that might make that java taste EVEN better. A new study finds your coffee habit could protect you from one of the world’s most common cancers…...
WALK Away from Cancer? Study Says “Yes!”
When you’re battling cancer, the LAST thing you need is more questionable advice. Yet a parade of well-meaning folks will insist you must do everything from running marathons to moving to a Greek island in order to outsmart the disease. But what if something as simple as a daily walk could give you the extra...
Separating Diet Fact from Fad
We’ve all been there, scrolling through social media, bombarded by images of perfectly arranged açai bowls and bulletproof coffee, wondering if this is the secret to optimal health. In a world of juice cleanses, paleo, gluten-free, and acai-topped everything, it’s easy to get lost in the maze of the latest and greatest diet trends. But...