Does vitamin D supplementation affect cancer mortality in the general population and prognosis in cancer patients?
Vitamin D3, a systematic review and meta-analysis in 104,727 participants (Ageing Res Rev 2023, PMID 37004841) — the main meta-analysis of 14 RCTs showed a non-significant 6% reduction in cancer mortality (RR: 0.94 [0.86-1.02]). Overall, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce cancer mortality in the main meta-analysis.
Source: Ageing Res Rev 2023, PMID 37004841 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: high
Ageing Res Rev · 2023 · PMID 37004841 · DOI 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923
Daily vitamin D supplementation may reduce cancer mortality, but bolus dosing does not show the same benefit.
The question
Does vitamin D supplementation affect cancer mortality in the general population and prognosis in cancer patients?
What they tested
The study aims to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality and prognosis.
How they did it
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) with 104,727 participants (2015 cancer deaths) was conducted. Individual patient data (IPD) from 7 RCTs (94,068 participants) were also analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed based on dosing regimen (daily vs. bolus) and other factors like age, sex, BMI, ethnicity, baseline vitamin D, adherence, and cancer-related factors.
What they found
The main meta-analysis of 14 RCTs showed a non-significant 6% reduction in cancer mortality (RR: 0.94 [0.86-1.02]). Subgroup analysis revealed a 12% lower cancer mortality in trials with a daily dosing regimen (RR: 0.88 [0.78-0.98]), but no reduction in trials using a bolus regimen (RR: 1.07 [0.91-1.24]). The IPD meta-analysis confirmed the overall finding (RR: 0.93 [0.84; 1.02]). Post-hoc analysis of daily dosing trials suggested adults aged ">= 70 years (RR: 0.83 [0.77; 0.98]) and subjects initiating vitamin D before cancer diagnosis (RR: 0.87 [0.69; 0.99]) benefited most. Data on baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and non-Hispanic White adults were insufficient.
| All RCTs | 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Dosing | 12 | |
| Bolus Dosing | -7 |
Percentage reduction in cancer mortality risk for all trials, daily dosing, and bolus dosing. A negative value indicates an increase in risk.
What it means
Overall, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce cancer mortality in the main meta-analysis. However, daily vitamin D administration, unlike bolus supplementation, was associated with a 12% reduction in cancer mortality.
Limitations
The study noted insufficient data on baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and limited inclusion of non-Hispanic White adults in the trials, which prevented drawing conclusions for these subgroups.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis |
|---|---|
| Journal | Ageing Res Rev |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | 37004841 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923 ↗ |
| Topic | Nutrition, micronutrients & whole foods |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Does vitamin D supplementation affect cancer mortality in the general population and prognosis in cancer patients? [Plain-English summary of Ageing Res Rev 2023, PMID 37004841, DOI 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html@misc{magellan_x6,
title = {Does vitamin D supplementation affect cancer mortality in the general population and prognosis in cancer patients?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 37004841; DOI 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923; Ageing Res Rev 2023. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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