Vitamin D supplements offer limited benefit to obese teens

However, in a recent study it has been revealed that extra vitamin D may not be good for teen who are overweight or obese, as the increase in usage of the pills may elevate their cholesterol levels.

Studies have suggested a link between vitamin D deficiency and problems such as insulin resistance and heart disease, and some doctors put obese teens on high-dose vitamin D supplementation to try to slow or reverse such obesity-related health problems.

Seema Kumar of the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center said that after three months of having Vitamin D boosted into the normal range with supplements, teenagers did not show any changes in body weight, body mass index, waistline, blood pressure or blood flow.

It is common knowledge that vitamin D is essential and beneficial for our physical health and provides the much needed nutrition to our bones.

The scientific team, however, examined how vitamin D supplementation would affect 19 obese teenagers, aged 13 to 18, who experienced vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, vitamin D supplements may increase the risk of cholesterol and triglycerides altogether.

Indeed, the importance of this recommendation is to ensure that here are no unnecessary complications.

Dr. Kumar, however, notes that the pills’ popularity as a homeopathic weapon against obesity is what made her want to study their effects on overweight teenagers, a population at increased risk for chronic disease.

Some experts believe vitamin D could protect against diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Kumar maintains that this is just one of her studies showing now actual benefits for children taking vitamin D. She also calls for more research to be conducted on the matter, preferably under strict, placebo-controlled groups, and over longer periods of time.

Excess consumption of vitamin D can result in toxicity of vitamin D, which can cause a loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and complications with kidneys.

Dr. Kumar suggests that this finding could be due to the relatively small number of children participating in the study and its short timeframe. “We’re just saying the jury is still out on how useful it is for improving overall health in adolescents”.