Washington, DC—The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has issued a rebuttal against the latest draft recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) discouraging the use of vitamin D and calcium supplements as a means of primary prevention of falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults. According to CRN, USPSTF's suggestions are based on a limited segment of the population and lack substance in several key areas.
“The USPSTF’s narrow focus of primary prevention of falls and fracture can lead to misreporting that the recommendation warns against supplementation,” said Dr. Andrea Wong, CRN Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. "That conclusion overlooks the broader value of maintaining adequate nutrient levels for a host of health benefits."
The USPSTF’s recommendations exclude studies enrolling participants based on low vitamin D levels or vitamin D deficiency and barely target community-dwelling asymptomatic adults, according to CRN. The association said this omission undermines the advice against supplementation and causes their counsel to be a misrepresentation that could lead to the dismissal of other health benefits associated with these key nutrients.
"If you’re not accounting for these people who are already at risk, those are the people who will benefit the most from supplemental vitamin D and calcium,” explained Dr. Wong. “Older adults with limited sun exposure, restricted diets, or darker skin tones often face a higher risk of deficiency, making targeted supplementation critical for their health.”
Several of the studies supporting the USPSTF’s recommendations fail to consider participants’ baseline vitamin D levels, CRN pointed out. “One thing you’d want to look at is did they look at baseline vitamin D status,” continued Dr. Wong. “If participants were starting off with adequate vitamin D levels already, adding more might not show additional benefit. But for those starting with insufficient levels, the benefits can be significant.”
Vitamin D and calcium are vital for bone health, muscle function, immune health and overall wellbeing, all of which support the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s strategies to prevent falls in older adults, “This really shouldn’t be a blanket recommendation,” stated Dr. Wong.
Headed in the Right Direction
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by USDA and HHS has acknowledged calcium and vitamin D as nutrients of public health concern due to their low intake levels being associated with health issues for toddlers through older adult individuals. The USPSTF is in agreement that the sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium are important for bone and overall health. They also advise clinicians should individualize decisions for supplementation to the specific patient or situation.
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation continues to offer a safe, low-cost option for addressing dietary gaps and supporting bone and muscle health. Findings from CRN's Supplements to Savings report show consistent vitamin D and calcium supplementation among at-risk populations could aid in the prevention of a significant number of fractures annually, translating into weighty healthcare cost savings. “Dismissing supplementation as unnecessary for the general population undermines its value for those who need it most," Dr. Wong said. "It’s time for guidance that reflects the full scope of science and prioritizes public health equity.”
