Vitamin D Megadose: Definition, Efficacy in Bone Metabolism, Risk of Falls and Fractures

• Main Authors: Narvaez J, Maldonado G, Guerrero R, Messina OD, Rios C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-06-01
• Series: Open Access Rheumatology : Research and Reviews
• Subjects: vitamin d; supplementation; falls; bone mineral density.
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/vitamin-d-megadose-definition-efficacy-in-bone-metabolism-risk-of-fall-peer-reviewed-article-OARRR

Jemina Narvaez,1 Genessis Maldonado,1 Roberto Guerrero,1 Osvaldo Daniel Messina,2 Carlos Rios1 1Rheumatology Department, Espíritu Santo University, Guayaquil, Ecuador; 2Rheumatology Department, Hospital Cosme Argerich, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCorrespondence: Genessis Maldonado Email [e-mail]: Currently, approximately more than one billion people around the world are considered to have deficient levels of vitamin D. International consensus recommends vitamin D supplementation to high-risk patients (advanced age, osteoporosis, liver failure, malabsorption syndromes, etc.) and those with levels below 30 ng/mL. There are several vitamin D formulations and dosages available, including megadoses. At the moment, there is no consensus on the definition of megadoses. The purpose of this review is to define what is a megadose and analyze its effectiveness in bone metabolism, risk of fractures and falls.Conclusion: The administration of doses higher than 100,000 IU of vitamin D is considered a megadose. It is evident that the use of megadoses increases serum concentrations of vitamin D; however, there has been no evidence of a decrease in the risk of falls, vertebral fractures or changes in bone mineral density.Keywords: vitamin D, supplementation, falls, bone mineral density