Vitamin D -3

What Research Shows

Likely Effective

●       Atopic dermatitis—likely to ease severity

●       Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—likely to lower the rate of flare ups in people with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels

●       Chronic pain—likely to ease pain

●       Depression—likely to improve symptoms

●       Diabetes—likely to improve blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity

●       Fractures—likely to lower the risk in older adults

●       Insulin sensitivity—likely to help control glucose and insulin levels

●       Osteoporosis—likely to ease symptoms and prevent fractures

●       Polycystic ovary syndrome—likely to help regulate menstrual cycle and improve insulin sensitivity

●       Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia—likely to prevent when taken with vitamin calcium

●       Pregnancy support—likely to prevent preeclampsia, low birth weight, and premature birth; may lower risk of upper respiratory infection in infants

May Be Effective

●       Asthma—may reduce the rate of flare ups

●       Immune-mediated rheumatic diseases—may reduce the rheumatic arthritis flare ups

●       Upper respiratory tract infection—may protect against infection

May Not Be Effective

●       Cognitive function—may not prevent cognitive decline or dementia

●       Female subfertility—may not provide benefit

●       Infections in children—may not prevent pneumonia or diarrhea in children under five years of age ^Z1

Unlikely to Be Effective

●       All-cause mortality—unlikely to lower

●       Alzheimer Disease—unlikely to provide benefit

●       Chronic heart failure—unlikely to improve left ventricular function or exercise tolerance

●       Chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain—unlikely to ease pain

●       High blood pressure—unlikely to lower

●       Multiple sclerosis—unlikely to improve symptoms

●       Musculoskeletal health—unlikely to prevent fractures or falls or effect bone mineral density

●       Parkinson Disease—unlikely to improve motor function

●       Prediabetes—unlikely to improve insulin resistance

Not Enough Data to Assess

●       Cancer prevention

●       Cardiovascular disease

●       Chronic kidney disease

●       Chronic liver disease

●       Cystic fibrosis

●       Diabetic nephropathy

●       Fall prevention in older adults

●       Hepatitis C infection

●       Hip fracture care

●       HIV infection in adults 

●       Knee osteoarthritis

●       Pneumonia

●       Prostate Cancer (Prevention)

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take vitamin D in small doses for a short time. Taking high doses for a long period may not be safe. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take more than 600 IU of vitamin D per day.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

●       People with hypercalcemia should not take vitamin D. It will worsen symptoms.