Vitamin D
Product Forms
Dose Distribution
Top Brands
Claims on Labels
Common Co-Ingredients
Top-Rated Vitamin D Products
Evidence Summary
Vitamin D is a widely studied nutrient with significant evidence supporting its role in bone health and fracture prevention. However, research regarding its impact on mortality and cancer prevention remains largely inconclusive or contradictory.
Evidence by Condition
Vitamin D and analogues are effective for preventing fractures in post-menopausal women and older men.
Evidence is inconclusive, though some studies suggest Vitamin D3 may decrease mortality in the elderly.
Evidence regarding the effectiveness of Vitamin D supplementation in decreasing cancer risk is contradictory.
Research is investigating the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms in adults.
Effective Doses
Not specified in the provided research summaries.
Key Findings
- Vitamin D and analogues are effective for preventing fractures in post-menopausal women and older men (PMID: 19370554).
- Vitamin D3 supplementation may decrease mortality, particularly in the elderly (PMID: 24414552).
- There is a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency observed in Asian populations (PMID: 34783278).
Limitations
Research findings are often contradictory, particularly concerning the prevention of cancer and mortality.
Safety & Interactions
The provided research does not specify particular drug interactions or contraindications.
AI-generated summary from 872 peer-reviewed studies. Not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider.
Dietary Reference Intakes
Source: IOM/NAM Dietary Reference Intakes · Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin D
Drug-Supplement Interactions
⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before combining supplements with medications.
Claims vs. Evidence
| Claim Type | % of Products | Evidence Required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Other | 99% | Tier D (Unclassified) | ✅ Supported |
| Structure/Function | 85% | Tier C (DSHEA Structure/Function (no pre-approval)) | ✅ Supported |
| Nutrient | 70% | Tier D (Unknown) | ✅ Supported |
| Approved Health | 4% | Tier A (FDA Approved Health Claim (21 CFR 101.9)) | ✅ Supported |
| Qualified Health | 1% | Tier B (FDA Qualified Health Claim) | ✅ Supported |
| No Claim | 0% | Tier D (No claim on label) | ✅ Supported |
🏛️ NIH ODS Factsheet
Research by Topic
⚠️ FDA Safety Data
Research Evidence (872)
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent osteoporotic fractures in older people. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compounds, with or without calcium, for preventing fractures in older people. S...
BACKGROUND: Available evidence on the effects of vitamin D on mortality has been inconclusive. In a recent systematic review, we found evidence that vitamin D3 may decrease mortality in mostly elderly women. The present systematic review updates and ...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent osteoporotic fractures in older people. This is the third update of a Cochrane review first published in 1996. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of vitamin D or related compound...
BACKGROUND: The evidence on whether vitamin D supplementation is effective in decreasing cancers is contradictory. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D supplementation for prevention of cancer in adults. SEARCH METHOD...
**Cameron et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cameron Ian D, Dyer Suzanne M, ... Kerse Ngaire. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018-Sep-07;9(9):C...
**Cortés-Jofré et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cortés-Jofré Marcela, Rueda José-Ramón, ... Bonfill Cosp Xavier. Drugs for preventing lung cancer in healthy people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020-Mar-04;3(3):CD002141. doi...
BACKGROUND: The available evidence on vitamin D and mortality is inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D for prevention of mortality in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EM...
**Jiang et al., 2023** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Jiang Zhiwei, Pu Rui, ... Yang Guoli. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(19):3602-3611. doi:10.1080/1...
**Mikola et al., 2023** | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis Mikola Tuomas, Marx Wolfgang, ... Ruusunen Anu. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled ...
**Gillespie et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Gillespie Lesley D, Robertson M Clare, ... Rowe Brian H. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009-Apr-15(2):CD...
**Cameron et al., 2010** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cameron Ian D, Murray Geoff R, ... Kerse Ngaire. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010-Jan-2...
**Gillespie et al., 2012** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Gillespie Lesley D, Robertson M Clare, ... Lamb Sarah E. Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012-Sep-12;2012(...
**Cameron et al., 2012** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Cameron Ian D, Gillespie Lesley D, ... Kerse Ngaire. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012-Dec-12;12...
BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile due to low bone density and impaired bone quality. This results in fractures that lead to higher morbidity and reduced quality of life. Osteoporosis is considered a major public healt...
**Dyer et al., 2025** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Dyer Suzanne M, Kwok Wing S, ... Cameron Ian D. Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025-Aug-20;8(8):CD016064. doi:10.10...
BACKGROUND: Findings from recent meta-analyses of vitamin D supplementation without co-administration of calcium have not shown fracture prevention, possibly because of insufficient power or inappropriate doses, or because the intervention was not ta...
**Patchen et al., 2025** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Patchen Bonnie K, Best Cora M, ... Cassano Patricia A. Vitamin D supplementation in pregnant or breastfeeding women or young children for preventing asthma. Cochrane Database Syst ...
IMPORTANCE: The increased social and economic burdens for osteoporosis-related fractures worldwide make the prevention of such injuries a major public health goal. Previous studies have reached mixed conclusions regarding the association between calc...
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to meta-analyze the results of published randomized controlled trials to test the hypothesis that low vitamin D supplement is associated with an increased risk of cancer incidence and mortality. METHODS: Randomized controlled tri...
**Wells et al., 2008** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Wells G A, Cranney A, ... Tugwell P. Etidronate for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008-Jan-23;20...
BACKGROUND: Results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation to improve bone density in children are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for improving bone mineral density i...
**Schlager et al., 2016** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Schlager Justin Gabriel, Rosumeck Stefanie, ... Nast Alexander. Topical treatments for scalp psoriasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016-Feb-26;2(2):CD009687. doi:10.1002/14651858...
BACKGROUND: A 2017 meta-analysis of data from 25 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) revealed a protective effect of this intervention. We aimed to examine the lin...
**Mason et al., 2013** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Mason Anne R, Mason James, ... Hancock Helen. Topical treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013-Mar-28;2013(3):CD005028. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005028...
BACKGROUND: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D status has been associated with a higher risk of cancer in epidemiologic studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investi...
**Huey et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Huey Samantha L, Acharya Nina, ... Mehta Saurabh. Effects of oral vitamin D supplementation on linear growth and other health outcomes among children under five years of age. Cochrane...
**Wells et al., 2022** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Wells George A, Hsieh Shu-Ching, ... Liu Wenfei. Risedronate for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Re...
**Lewis et al., 2024** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Lewis Sharon R, McGarrigle Lisa, ... Todd Chris. Population-based interventions for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024-J...
INTRODUCTION: Although a well-established component of bone metabolism, the efficacy and safety of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of fractures in elderly healthy individuals is still unclear. PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis comparin...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may help improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes (such as fewer preterm birth and low birthweight babies) and reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (such as severe postpartum haemor...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency following bariatric surgery is common and is expected to be associated with a deleterious impact on the skeleton. However, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation and the optimal dose in this population is currently...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D and related compounds have been used to prevent fractures. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of vitamin D or analogues, with or without calcium, in the prevention of fractures in older people. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the...
**Mason et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Mason Anne R, Mason James, ... Edwards Gladys. Topical treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009-Apr-15(2):CD005028. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005028.pub...
**Palmer et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Palmer Suetonia C, McGregor David O, ... Strippoli Giovanni Fm. Vitamin D compounds for people with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009-Oct-0...
To estimate the associations between vitamin D status and multiple sclerosis (MS). We searched electronic databases of the human literature in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to February, 2014 using the following keywords: 'vitamin D' or '...
**van et al., 2018** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review van den Blink Qurrat U, Garcez Kate, ... Higham Claire E. Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of insufficiency fractures and avascular necrosis associated with pelvic ...
IMPORTANCE: Vitamin D and calcium supplements are recommended for the prevention of fracture, but previous randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have reported conflicting results, with uncertainty about optimal doses and regimens for supplementation and ...
BACKGROUND: Nutritional rickets is a disease which affects children, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It causes problems such as skeletal deformities and impaired growth. The most common cause of nutritional rickets is vitamin D defici...
**Wang et al., 2020** | Nutrients | Meta Analysis Wang Zuqun, Ding Rui, Wang Juan. The Association between Vitamin D Status and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020-Dec-29;13(1). doi:10.3390/nu1301008...
IMPORTANCE: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that performs an important role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism and also affects many other cellular regulatory functions outside the skeletal system. Vitamin D requirements may vary by indivi...
**Hu et al., 2022** | Nutrients | Meta Analysis Hu Kai-Lun, Zhang Chun-Xi, ... Hunt Sarah. Vitamin D Levels in Early and Middle Pregnancy and Preeclampsia, a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2022-Feb-27;14(5). doi:10.3390/nu14050999 Vi...
**Pei et al., 2022** | Nutrients | Meta Analysis Pei Yi-Yan, Zhang Yu, ... Fang Fang. Association of Vitamin D Supplementation with Cardiovascular Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2022-Jul-30;14(15). doi:10.3390/nu14153158 BA...
BACKGROUND: Since the previous Cochrane Review on this topic in 2016, debate has continued surrounding a potential role for vitamin D in reducing risk of asthma exacerbation and improving asthma control. We therefore conducted an updated meta-analysi...
**Williamson et al., 2024** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Williamson Anne, Martineau Adrian R, ... Griffiths Chris J. Vitamin D for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024-Sep-27;9(9):C...
**Gillespie et al., 2009** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Gillespie Lesley D, Gillespie William J, ... Rowe Brian H. WITHDRAWN: Interventions for preventing falls in elderly people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009-Apr-15(2):CD00034...
**Avenell et al., 2010** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Avenell Alison, Handoll Helen Hg. Nutritional supplementation for hip fracture aftercare in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010-Jan-20(1):CD001880. doi:10.1002/14651858....
BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression, and a systematic assessment of the literature has not been available. AIMS: To determine the relationship, if any, between vitamin D deficie...
**Bjelakovic et al., 2017** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Bjelakovic Goran, Nikolova Dimitrinka, ... Gluud Christian. Vitamin D supplementation for chronic liver diseases in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017-Nov-03;11(11):CD0115...
Epidemiology studies have investigated the association between vitamin D and the risk of sleep disorders, but the results remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis with the goal of clarifying the association between vitamin D a...
**Obeid et al., 2020** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis Obeid Grace, Do Giao, ... Le Cleach Laurence. Interventions for chronic palmoplantar pustulosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020-Jan-20;1(1):CD011628. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011628....
Showing top 50 of 872 sources, sorted by quality score.
Details
Vitamin D
Overview
Vitamin D is a essential nutrient tracked in the biomedical knowledge base.
Also known as: cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, vitamin d3, vitamin d2, 25-hydroxyvitamin d
Role in Health
Detailed overview pending — this entity has sources compiled across multiple verticals.
Related Verticals
See sources-index for all verified sources referencing Vitamin D.
Safety Considerations
Safety data extraction pending.
Sources
See linked source pages for full provenance.
Related Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
How effective is Vitamin D in preventing bone fractures?
There is strong evidence that Vitamin D and its analogues are effective in preventing fractures, particularly in older men and post-menopausal women.
Does Vitamin D supplementation reduce the risk of mortality?
The evidence is currently inconclusive, although some studies suggest that Vitamin D3 may help decrease mortality in the elderly.
Can Vitamin D help prevent cancer?
The evidence regarding the effectiveness of Vitamin D supplementation in decreasing cancer risk is currently considered weak and contradictory.
Is there a connection between Vitamin D and depressive symptoms?
There is moderate evidence, and research is currently investigating the impact of Vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms in adults.
Are there any known drug interactions or contraindications for Vitamin D?
Current research does not specify any particular drug interactions or contraindications for Vitamin D.
What is the most scientifically supported role of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is most widely recognized for its significant role in supporting bone health and the prevention of fractures.
Answers generated from research evidence. Not medical advice.