Vitamin D important to bone health

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- You may have heard the term "Got Milk?" but you've probably never been asked "Got Vitamin D?" Milk is a major source of calcium; the mineral that is the building block of bones. But, to absorb calcium into the body, people need another vital chemical; vitamin D. Though some may drink a lot of milk, their bodies may not properly absorb the calcium because they don't have enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D is found naturally in foods such as fish and eggs, and may be added to certain milk and cereal products. Exposure to sunlight can also trigger the body to produce its own vitamin D. This vitamin sends signals to the intestines to absorb calcium.

Lack of calcium in the bones can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures. This is especially a concern for postmenopausal women who tend to lose more bone tissue than their bodies are able to replace it. Doctors often prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements to counteract osteoporosis and the risk of fractures. To help Canadian physicians prescribe sufficient amounts of both calcium and vitamin D, the Osteoporosis Society there has set standardized dosage guidelines. However, researchers found patients still weren't taking adequate amounts of either.

"Most family physicians aren't aware of the guidelines for osteoporosis, so we decided to conduct a study to evaluate the care gap," sa George Ioannidis, one of the researchers and a clinical scientist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. "What this research has found is that most patients are not receiving enough calcium or vitamin D," he added.

The study first educated a group of physicians about the new clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, who then met on a regular basis to discuss calcium and vitamin D therapy on their own patients. The study found physicians did a better job prescribing appropriate doses for their patients following the educational intervention. "Studies have shown that (taking vitamin D) reduces the future fracture risks of patients over the age of 50," said Ioannidis.

Besides calcium and vitamin D supplements, doctors may also prescribe bisphosphonates for people with osteoporosis or a high risk of developing the disease. Bisphosphonates slows the loss of old bone. However, a deficiency of vitamin D can also cause side effects for people on bisphosphonates.

Diane Baldwin, a pharmacist at Walgreens in Columbia, Mo., has osteoporosis and was prescribed bisphosphonates by her gynecologist. "They put me on the once a week (bisphosphonate therapy) six to eight months ago and I had severe leg pains to the point I could hardly walk after a few months," she said.

Baldwin began investigating on her own to find out why she had constant pain in her legs. She soon found out that it was because she had a vitamin D deficiency. "If your vitamin D is low it causes excruciating bone pain and my vitamin D was way low," said Baldwin.

Baldwin eventually found a doctor in St. Louis who prescribed vitamin D therapy to bring up her vitamin level. "Now I'm taking (bisphosphonates) again, and it doesn't hurt," she said.