In January 2018 researchers from Italy, UK and Spain published the results of their study to assess whether vitamin D supplementation is associated with a lower risk of frailty. A t total of 4,421 individuals (average age 61 years; females 58%), who were at high risk or had knee osteoarthritis, and were free from frailty at the start of the study were included in the study. Information on vitamin D supplementation was collected by asking, on a monthly basis, whether the individual had taken vitamin D during the previous year. At the start of the study 70% had taken vitamin D supplements in the previous year, with an average dose of 384 IU per day. Results showed that during the 8-year period of follow-up low-dose vitamin D supplementation was not associated with any reduced risk of frailty. Further research with high doses of vitamin D supplementation is therefore required.
Bolzetta F et al. Low-dose vitamin D supplementation and incident frailty in older people: An eight year longitudinal study. Exp Gerontol. 2018 Jan;101:1-6