Vitamin D Supplements and Prevention of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

Study answer

What this study found

Vitamin D3 did not reduce invasive cancer or major cardiovascular events over a median 5.3 years of follow-up. Invasive cancer was not significantly lower with vitamin D versus placebo (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.06; P = 0.47), and major cardiovascular events were also not reduced (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.12; P = 0.69). Cancer death (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.02), deaths from any cause (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.12), and major cardiovascular endpoints including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death were likewise not significantly different. No excess hypercalcemia or other…

Study & population

Randomized, placebo-controlled, 2-by-2 factorial trial in generally healthy older adults in the United States.

Intervention

Participants received oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 2000 IU daily for the duration of the trial.

Key limitation

Follow-up was moderate at 5.3 years, which may be insufficient for some cancer outcomes.

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Original abstract