Question 3
What are some possible reasons why the participants in this study did not show improvements in physical functioning after taking the vitamin D and calcium supplements? How do you feel about supplement use?
posted by Samantha McCoy @ 7:09 PM
17 comments
17 Comments:
Like the study mentions, the level of vitamin D supplementation used(400 IU/day) is not considered adequate today. This could be a reason why participants did not show improvements in physical functioning. There could have been other factors also, including caffeine intake, which interferes with calcium absorption. More studies are needed regarding this topic, but it is better to be safe than sorry, so it is usually advised to avoid or decrease intake of caffeine when on a calcium supplement. My take on supplement use is quite basic: supplements are meant to do just that; supplement the diet. Whole food nutrition is the best, most natural way for our bodies to absorb nutrients. But in some cases, the use of supplements is appropriate to ensure adequate nutrition.
Well like the study said it was not enough. I am sure that it should be individually monitored because as I have learned each pt is different. Speaking as a lactose intolerant person I think supplements are fine and I probabley should be taking some.
Susan
Hi Brit,
Definitely caffeine as a factor. All I think about is coffee, oh it's one of my favorite things! I agree with supplements being ok when you need them they are there to make up for missing nutrients. Food is always better but may not be an option so at least there is someway to get what you need.
Susan
If the client is in need of hormone therapy and not on it, that could be a major factor on why they did not improve in there physical functioning. There could be a problem with the clients not reporting their intake of the supplements accurately. Also, studies have shown that taking more than 500 mg of calcium at once is not absorbed as well as breaking it up. The ideal way would be to take the 1000 mg and 400 IU of vitamin D over 2 – 3 doses through out the day.
Brittney,
You bring up a good point with caffeine intake. Since small amounts of calcium are found in the extra cellular fluid and caffeine is a mild diuretic (at high levels) this could cause calcium loss.
To address the supplement issue I don't have a problem with supplements taken for the right reason and their doctor knows about them. This way they don't interfere with any other medication the patient might be on. As others have said, the amount that was given in the study wasn't enough, so that is probably the main reason there was no difference. If they researchers were going to give a supplement they should have controlled other factors of the diets.
Colin,
Way to bring up the idea that vitamin D needs to be taken in several doses over the day for optimal absorption. The study had good intentions, but could have had a better design.
The article suggest that the length of treatment could of played a part. Also the age at which treatment was started was another limitation that could of played a role in the participants not showing improvements. The women they used also could have been fairly healthy and not have a clear deficiency in Ca or Vit D. this would obviously show few improvements at the end of the study. The final thing is the dosage that was used, it may have been too low.
Tori,
I like the fact that you are thinking about other meds they may be on that might interfere with a supplement. I forgot to comment on supplements so in my opinion they are very beneficial for those who are just not going to get it from there diet. I have seen alot of sick people in the hospital in which a supplement is right for them and it seems to work great.
Possibly, it could have been too little, too late. Research has shown us that building up bones when we are in our teens, 20s and 30s is optimal for keeping them strong in later life. This may go to show that we should be focusing on the age groups above when getting calcium and Vitamin D into the diet. In this study, no improvements in physical functioning could have also been due to the body's natural tendancy to decline. Exercise, which is imperative to maintaining physical functioning was not controlled in this study, and is a factor that may be more important in this case, rather than vitamin D and calcium supplementation.
Supplementation is acceptable for those who really need it. A multivitamin that provides 25% of RDA maybe be beneficial, but supersupplemets that contain thousands of percentages of RDA are dangerous to those who are uneducated about supplementation (which may be a large majority of the world).
Great points and suggestions for creating a better, more accurate study.
I think that age did play a big role, and maybe it was too late to improve on physical functioning at that time in their lives.
Any other ideas?
Well, the study itself noted that the calcium and vitamin D supplementation used for the study, which was considered adequate when the study began, is now considered to be a low level.
I feel that supplementation is a totally valid method for increasing nutrient intake. I would without reservation encourage clients who feel their diet is lacking to introduce a multi-vitamin or calcium supplement. Of course getting the nutrients from food is preferred but supplementation is beneficial as well.
I look at supplementation the same way I look at exercise: it may be ideal to get 30 - 45 minutes of exercise in all at one time (to help improve cardiovascular endurance and health), but getting exercise in 10 - 15 minutes blocks, adding up to 30 or 45 minutes, while maybe not ideal is still beneficial and much better than nothing.
Tori,
I agree that non-standard supplement usage (i.e. something other than vitamin supplementation) should be especially be cleared by a medical professional. Doctors should always be made aware of all supplements a pt is taking to prevent drug-nutrient interations.
Myra
The study told us the levels of calcium and vitamin D weren't high enough to result in improvements of physical functioning. Everyone's body works differently also, which causes differences in bioavailability for various foods and nutrients. As for supplement use, I am a strong believer in obtaining one's nutrients from foods, but if a person is lactose intolerant or has other issues keeping them from consuming calcium rich foods, then supplements are a good course of action.
Tori, great point about medical interactions between supplements and medications. You're right, one should always consult their doctor before taking anything in the case that it may result in adverse side effects.
As was mentioned, the level of vitamin D supplementation may not have been adequate to provide positive results. The study period was probably long enough to assess outcomes, so this is not likely a factor when attempting to answer the posed question. Women of the ages used in the study tend not to IMPROVE in functioning as they age...the "normal aging process" may be to blame for failure to increase physical functioning. Weight gain, disease, impaired absorption, and lack of physical activity can all contribute to the level of physical functioning - there is not enough evidence to suggest that calcium and vitamin D supplementation will not improve functioning in some. There are too many confounding factors in this instance.
Colin - I like your suggestion that the methods of the study may have negatively influenced the outcomes. We need to remember to evaluate all aspects of the research put before us, not just the outcomes/results.
Post a Comment
<< Home