Vitamin D Supplementation in Warfighters
Update: Study Results 5,000 IU Vitamin D daily resulted in many benefits after 3 months (US soldiers) – RCT March 2019
This Randomized Controlled Trial has many problems
- They are not permitting the soldiers to take >400 IU of vitamin D during the trial
Many soldiers will probably refuse to take part in the study, as they will not want to decrease their vitamin D intake - Three months is barely long enough to restore vitamin D levels
It will be difficult to notice benefits which might only start in the last few weeks - The study will also look at vitamin D levels 9 months after stopping the vitamin D supplementation
Since the half-life of vitamin D is approximately 2 months there will be ZERO effect 9 months later.
Note: many doctors still incorrectly feel that once the vitamin D levels are restored that no more is needed
See also VitaminDWiki
- Need for Routine Vitamin D Screening in Military Personnel – Sept 2016
- Military and Vitamin D - many studies
- Vitamin D prescriptions in US Military increased 5X in 5 years – July 2015
- US Army learning about benefits of vitamin D to trauma – Matthews Dec 2013
- Suicide 2X more likely with low vitamin D (in military) – Jan 2013
- Vitamin D might reduce military costs for UC and CD – June 2011
- Military in hot climates and vitamin D deficiency - 2010
- Increased Bone strength during military training – with just 800 IU of vitamin D and Calcium – RCT April 2014
- Stress fractures in basic training associated with 2.5 ng less vitamin D – meta-analysis Nov 2014
- Why many vitamin D trials fail to find benefits - Nov 2016