Vitamin D Is Not a Substitute for a Healthy Lifestyle
Manson emphasized that taking a supplement is not a substitute for a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle.
| Supplement Alone | Supplement + Healthy Lifestyle |
|---|---|
| May help with telomere protection | Also supports cardiovascular health |
| May reduce inflammation | Also reduces cancer risk |
| — | Also lowers risk of type 2 diabetes |
| — | Also improves overall well-being |
“Although it’s much easier to pop a pill than to be physically active outdoors and eat healthfully, these lifestyle factors will do more to keep you healthy and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases of aging.”
— Dr. JoAnn Manson
The “More Is Not Better” Principle
The doctor noted that people need only small to moderate amounts of vitamin D for good health, as the vitamin’s metabolism is “tightly regulated” in the body.
| Dose | Safety |
|---|---|
| 1,000–2,000 IU/day | Very safe; reasonable for most adults |
| 2,000 IU/day | Shown to be safe in this study |
| 10,000+ IU/day | May be associated with high blood/urine calcium levels and toxicity |
