Resources

Vitamin D supplementation for Scoliosis

If you are still growing and have scoliosis, PLEASE consider taking a Vitamin D supplement.

This high quality study randomised 330 adolescent girls with AIS into 3 groups. Group 1 was placebo, Group 2 took 600 mg of Calcium plus 400 IU of Vitamin D/day, Group 3 took the same amount of Calcium but a higher amount of Vitamin D daily (800 IU/day).

Those who were low in Vitamin D, and did not take it as part of the study, showed significant curve progression. After 2 years, 48.6% of the placebo group progressed (Group 1) and only 16.2% of the high dose Vitamin D group progressed (Group 3)!!

Girls with AIS notoriously have low bone density. In Australia, not meeting daily recommended Vitamin D levels has become an increasing problem in children. Considering most of our Vitamin D is obtained by direct sunlight, Winter presents increased difficulty.

Please speak to your GP, Pharmacist or nutritional expert about potentially taking a daily supplement or making dietary modifications to ensure 800 IU Vitamin D and 600 mg Calcium are being reached daily.

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