Vitamin D Screenings May Be Unnecessary, New Study

On Monday, health experts argues that there is no need to administer screenings for Vitamin D levels as they are not proven to provide any benefit; nor did it prove to be harmful without them.

According to a study conducted by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults not showing symptoms of a deficiency is more beneficial or harmful.

Vitamin D can be found in in certain foods, and can also be obtained by the conversion of ultraviolet rays from the skin that come in contact with bare skin. Previous studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D may be linked with increased risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Patients with kidney disease or bone disease, as well as elderly patients, should still take vitamin D supplements if instructed to do so by their doctor, the study said. However, researchers believe that many people may not stand to benefit from vitamin D supplements not recommended by a physician.

Agencies/Canadajournal