Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.

Quick Answer

What it is

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. It benefits us in many ways, from bone health to mood.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Pre-Eclampsia Risk (Preeclampsia)
  • Grade A: Fall Risk (Fall Prevention)
  • Grade B: Blood glucose (Type 2 Diabetes)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Vitamin D

Quick Facts: Vitamin D

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:69
  • Research Outcomes:308
  • Grade A Findings:3
  • Grade B Findings:11
  • Key Effect:Fall Prevention
Outcomes by grade:
A3
B11
C22
D15
69 conditions Β· 308 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
A
Pre-Eclampsia Risk
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Preterm Birth Risk
13 studies
↑Worsens
A
Pre-Eclampsia Risk
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Preterm Birth Risk
13 studies
↑Worsens
A
Fall Risk
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Functionality in Elderly or Injured
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
8 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Type 2 Diabetes Incidence
↑Worsens
B
Combined Anxiety & Depression
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
B
Bone Mineral Density
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
?
Fracture Risk
↑Worsens
?
Bone-specific Alkaline Phosphatase
1 study
↑Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
8 studies
↓Improves
B
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
16 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
8 studies
↓Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
B
Depression Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
↓Improves
B
Anxiety Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
5 studies
↓Improves
?
Cramps
↓Improves
?
Depression Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Fatigue Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 10
1 study
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 12
1 study
↑Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
B
Influenza Risk
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
1 study
↑Worsens
B
Migraine Frequency
Small Decrease
2 studies
small↓Improves
?
Migraine Severity
2 studies
↓Improves
B
6-Minute Walking Test Performance
Small Improvement
2 studies
small↑Improves
?
Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Walking Ability
2 studies
↑Improves
C
Blood Pressure
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
↓Improves
?
Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Hematocrit
1 study
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
1 study
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Inflammation
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Red Blood Cell Count
1 study
↑Improves
?
Vascular Function
1 study
↑Improves
C
Bacterial Infection
Moderate Improvement
1 study
moderate↑Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Influenza Risk
↑Worsens
?
Cough
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Fever
↑Improves
?
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Muscle Mass
↑Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Asthma Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
25 studies
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
COPD Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 5
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Tuberculosis Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Dysmenorrhea Symptoms
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Endometriosis-associated pelvic pain
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Dyschezia
1 study
↑Improves
?
Dyspareunia
1 study
↑Improves
?
Glutathione (GSH)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
1 study
↓Improves
?
Pelvic Pain
↓Improves
?
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)
↑Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
vLDL-C
1 study
↓Improves
C
Asthma Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Influenza Risk
↑Worsens
?
Fever
↑Improves
?
Pneumonia Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Bone turnover markers
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Fracture Risk
↑Worsens
?
Calcium Absorption
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
C
Aromatase-Inhibitor Related Joint Pain
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Breast Cancer Risk
↑Worsens
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Cramps
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Pelvic Pain
↓Improves
?
PMS Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
C
Interleukin 5
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
C
Height
Small Increase
1 study
small↑Improves
?
Tuberculosis risk
0
↑Worsens
?
Tuberculosis Symptoms
↓Improves
C
Interleukin 5
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Blood glucose
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
vLDL-C
1 study
↓Improves
C
Liver Enzymes
Moderate Improvement
moderate↓Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
C
Depression Symptoms
Small Improvement
small↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
C
Fatigue Symptoms
Small Improvement
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Sleep Duration
↑Improves
?
Sleep Latency
1 study
↓Improves
?
Sleep Quality
1 study
↑Improves
C
Body Fat
Small Decrease
1 study
small↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Metabolic Rate
1 study
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
TNF-Alpha
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
C
Bone Mineral Density
Small Improvement
small↑Improves
C
Interleukin 5
Small Increase
small↑Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
D
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Asthma Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Eczema Symptoms
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Lung Function
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Allergy Symptoms
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Immunoglobulin E
3 studies
↑Improves
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
No effect
7 studies
none
?
Asthma Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Eczema Symptoms
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Allergy Symptoms
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Immunoglobulin E
3 studies
↑Improves
D
Seminal Motility
No effect
4 studies0
none
?
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Sperm Quality
4 studies0
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Sperm Count
0
↑Improves
D
All-Cause Mortality
No effect
none
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
15 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Liver Fat
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Liver Fibrosis
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Liver Enzymes
↑Worsens
D
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
D
All-Cause Mortality
No effect
none
?
intensive care unit admission risk
14 studies
↑Worsens
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
11 studies
↓Improves
?
intubation risk
9 studies
↑Worsens
?
Need for mechanical ventilation
↑Worsens
?
Length of hospitalization
↓Improves
?
Ferritin
6 studies
↑Improves
?
Lymphocyte Count
5 studies
↑Improves
?
Hemoglobin
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Serum Platelets
4 studies
↑Improves
?
COVID-19 Severity
↓Improves
?
Neutrophil Count
1 study
↑Improves
D
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
No effect
none
?
Quality of Life
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Plasma Vitamin D
1 study
↑Improves
D
Pneumonia Symptoms
No effect
none
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
1 study
none
?
Total cholesterol
14 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Muscle Mass
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Food Intake
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Inflammation
↓Improves
?
Pulse Wave Velocity
1 study
↓Improves
?
Type 2 Diabetes Incidence
↑Worsens
?
Vascular Function
1 study
↑Improves
D
Arterial Stiffness
No effect
1 study
none
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Waist circumference
4 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
3 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Food Intake
1 study
↑Worsens
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Inflammation
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Muscle Mass
↑Improves
?
Parathyroid Hormone
↑Improves
?
Pulse Wave Velocity
1 study
↓Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Vascular Function
1 study
↑Improves
D
Beta-cell function
No effect
1 study
none
?
Glycemic Control
↑Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Type 2 Diabetes Incidence
↑Worsens
D
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
No effect
1 study
none
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Risk
↑Worsens
?
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms
↓Improves
D
Inflammation
No effect
none
?
Vascular Function
1 study
↑Improves
D
Collagen Content
No effect
1 study
none
?
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
1 study
↓Improves
?
Pain
↓Improves
D
All-Cause Mortality
No effect
none
?
Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
↓Improves
?
Fracture Risk
↑Worsens
?
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Risk of Hypocalcemia
↑Improves
?
Risk of Hypocalcemia
↑Improves
?
Itching
↑Improves
?
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Acne Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
↓Improves
?
Cathelicidin
↑Improves
?
Testosterone
↑Improves
?
Type 1 Diabetes Incidence
↑Worsens
?
Bone turnover markers
↑Worsens
?
Wound Healing
0
↑Improves
?
All-Cause Mortality
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
↓Improves
?
Power Output
↑Improves
?
Otitis Media Risk
↑Worsens
?
Pancreatic Cancer Risk
↑Worsens
?
Inflammation
↓Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
↑Improves
?
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
↑Worsens

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

AFall Prevention
1
↓Fall RiskImproves↑Functionality in Elderly or InjuredImproves
APreeclampsia
1
↓Pre-Eclampsia RiskImproves↑Preterm Birth RiskWorsens
APregnancy and Delivery Health
1
↓Pre-Eclampsia RiskImproves↑Preterm Birth RiskWorsens
BCOVID-19
2
All-Cause Mortality↑intensive care unit admission riskWorsens↓C-Reactive Protein (CRP)Improves
BPrediabetes
2
Beta-cell function↑Glycemic ControlImproves↑InsulinWorsens
BCommon Cold
1
↓Influenza RiskImproves↑Upper Respiratory Tract Infection RiskWorsens↓Upper Respiratory Tract Infection SymptomsImproves
BType 2 Diabetes
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↓HbA1cImproves↑InsulinWorsens
BPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓PMS SymptomsImproves↓CrampsImproves
BDepression
1
↓Combined Anxiety & DepressionImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves
BOsteoporosis
1
↑Bone Mineral DensityImproves↑Fracture RiskWorsens↑Bone-specific Alkaline PhosphataseImproves
BVitamin D Deficiency
1
↓Depression SymptomsImproves↓Fibromyalgia SymptomsImproves
BMigraine Headache
1
↓Migraine FrequencyImproves↓Migraine SeverityImproves
BNonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
BMetabolic Syndrome
1
↓Blood glucoseImproves↑High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves↓Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves
BMood Improvement
1
↓Anxiety SymptomsImproves↓Depression SymptomsImproves
BParkinson's Disease
1
↑6-Minute Walking Test PerformanceImproves↓Parkinson's Disease SymptomsImproves↑Walking AbilityImproves
BThyroid Cancer
1
↑Risk of HypocalcemiaImproves
CLower Respiratory Tract Infection
2
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk↑Upper Respiratory Tract Infection RiskWorsens↓Upper Respiratory Tract Infection SymptomsImproves
CUpper Respiratory Tract Infection
1
↑Bacterial InfectionImproves↓Body FatImproves↑Upper Respiratory Tract Infection RiskWorsens
CAcute Respiratory Infection (ARI)
1
↓Asthma SymptomsImproves↑Lower Respiratory Tract Infection RiskWorsens↑Upper Respiratory Tract Infection RiskWorsens

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