“Proof” Of Vitamin D’s Multiple Health Benefits Remains Unconvincing

A growing number of scientific studies link vitamin D with reduced risk of conditions like bone mineral disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, etc. But two new literature reviews from U.S. and European researchers say there still isn’t much convincing evidence that vitamin D has a beneficial effect. Only 10 clinical trials of 137 that reported a beneficial outcome from vitamin D intake were thorough enough to be believable. The researchers did find "probable" associations between vitamin D levels and birth weight, dental caries in children, maternal vitamin D levels at term and parathyroid hormone levels in chronic kidney disease patients. What is needed is many more well-designed trials before conclusions can be drawn.