The world of science is in a constant process of research on different elements that may affect the health of people. Thus, one of the nutrients that offers the greatest effects on the body is vitamin D .

Now, a new clinical trial carried out at the University of Eastern Finland indicates that consuming “much higher” doses of vitamin D than recommended during five years has no effect on total mortality or the incidence of cardiovascular disease; as well as neither in cancer in older men and women.

This is an investigation whose results disagree with the statements made by experts about vitamin D, such as Dr. Michael F. Holick.

New study on vitamin D

In numerous population studies, low levels of vitamin D in the body have been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and premature death. However, it cannot be deduced from these studies whether the consumption of supplements of vitamin D helps to reduce this risk.

Vitamina DVitamin D

Therefore, at the beginning of 2010, different trials began to be carried out on vitamin D on a large scale in several countries. The objective was to know the effects of taking supplements of this vitamin in amounts higher than those recommended to observe its incidence in cardiovascular diseases or cancer.

Thus, one of the most characteristic clinical trials was carried out by the University of Finland from the year 2012 to the 2018.

Two 495 participated in this trial. Among them were men with 60 years or more, and women with 75 years or more. Thus, for five years they were randomized into two different groups; while in one of them they took placebo, in another of the groups they received 40 or 60 mcg of vitamin D on a daily basis.

It is necessary to clarify that at the beginning of this trial, all the individuals who participated in the study were free of cardiovascular diseases or cancer.

Preparation of the investigation

At the beginning of the research and during the clinical trial, the researchers used forms in which the participants had to complete with information regarding their lifestyle, risk factors, nutrition and incidence of diseases.

In addition, almost a fifth of the participants participated in more detailed random examinations to obtain blood samples. Thus, these blood tests showed that the majority were not deficient in vitamin D at the beginning of the trial.

With all this, during the five years that the study lasted, a total of 119 participants developed cardiovascular disease; 129 subjects were diagnosed with cancer and 19 died. The researchers assure that there were no statistically significant differences in the number of events between the two groups.

On the other hand, the doses of vitamin D administered proved to be safe for the body. This could be observed in a subsample examined in more detail, in which it was observed that the mean concentration of vitamin D (calcidiol) in the blood was 75 nanomoles per liter (nmol / L).

As a conclusion, the researchers contribute that after one year, the average concentration of calcidiol was 100 nmol / L in the group that received 40 mcg of vitamin D daily. Meanwhile, in the group that took 80 mcg of this vitamin, the concentrations were 120 nmol / L.

«There were no significant changes in calcidiol concentrations in the placebo group. Only 9 percent of the subjects had low vitamin D levels at the start of the study, “conclude the experts.

In addition, these clinical trials conducted in Finland will also provide comprehensive reports on the relationship between vitamin D supplements and other health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, fractures and falls, mood, pain conditions or infections .