Don’t count on extra vitamin D to improve arthritis in your knees. Although some observational studies have suggested that vitamin D supplements might benefit knee osteoarthritis, a new clinical trial published in JAMA proved disappointing. The study involved 413 participants with the condition who were also low in blood levels of vitamin D. For two years, they were given either monthly vitamin D (50,000 IU) or a placebo; participants were assessed with MRI scans and a standard pain scale. Although those getting extra vitamin D improved in blood levels of the vitamin, there were no significant differences between the two groups in cartilage changes or pain scores. Researchers concluded that their findings do not support the use of vitamin D supplementation for preventing cartilage loss or improving knee pain.
