Vitamin D has been widely promoted to prevent chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporotic fracture. However, findings from recent observational studies and randomized trials have been discrepant, and several conflicting recommendations for vitamin D intake have been released from professional organizations in the past two years. For example, recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and the US Preventive Services Task Force do not support routine vitamin D supplementation, while the Endocrine Society endorses supplementation with >2000 IU/d for many segments of the population. This session will present findings from recent studies evaluating whether vitamin D may be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer and promoting bone health. Panelists will then discuss whether current public health recommendations are consistent with the scientific evidence, and identify key objectives and important design issues for future studies of vitamin D and chronic disease.
- Introduction - Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, ScD, University of Massachusetts
- Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease - JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, Harvard Medical School
- Vitamin D and Cancer - Edward Giovannucci, MD, DrPH, Harvard School of Public Health
- Vitamin D and Bone Health - Clifford Rosen, MD, Maine Medical Center Research Institute
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