Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: What Do the Data Show? Who Should Be Treated?

Vitamin D and calcium supplementation may lower fracture risk in some individuals, but data regarding its effects on cancer are inconclusive.

Vitamin D is essential for human health. Deficiencies are associated with osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children and have been postulated to contribute to various cancers. The three major sources of vitamin D are diet; ultraviolet B radiation, primarily from the sun; and pharmacologic supplements. The extent to which vitamin D supplements, with or without calcium, can prevent various cancers and reduce fracture incidence in high-risk individuals has been controversial. The authors of this meta-analysis reviewed randomized, controlled trials and observational studies reporting incidence of or death from cancer and fracture outcomes.

Results of three randomized clinical trials of the effect of vitamin D supplementation showed no discer…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)