---
title: "Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality:…"
description: "Daily vitamin D supplementation may reduce cancer mortality, but bolus dosing does not show the same benefit."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "x6"
journal: "Ageing Res Rev"
year: 2023
pmid: "37004841"
doi: "10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality:…

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x6

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Ageing Res Rev |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | [37004841](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004841/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923) |
| Study key | x6 |

## Takeaway

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?

## Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality and prognosis.

## Methods

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.

## Results

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.

## Conclusion

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.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> vitamin D administered daily reduced cancer mortality by 12 percent

## Cancer Mortality Risk Reduction with Vitamin D Supplementation

| Measure | Risk Reduction (%) |
| --- | --- |
| 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.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) | Moderate evidence | [Dr. Mercola Liposomal Vitamin D3](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/10.md) |
| Targeted Organ-Support Nutrients | Emerging evidence | [NOVOS Vital Organ Support](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/14.md) |

## Reference

1. **Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis**
   Ageing Res Rev 2023 · [PMID 37004841](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004841/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923)

   > vitamin D administered daily reduced cancer mortality by 12 percent

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html","name":"Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data…","description":"Daily vitamin D supplementation may reduce cancer mortality, but bolus dosing does not show the same benefit.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality:…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x6.html#study","name":"Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis","headline":"Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on cancer mortality: systematic review and individual patient data…","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Ageing Res Rev"},"identifier":"PMID:37004841","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004841/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101923","abstract":"Daily vitamin D supplementation may reduce cancer mortality, but bolus dosing does not show the same benefit."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [NOVOS Vital Organ Support](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/14.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Dr. Mercola Liposomal Vitamin D3](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/10.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Association between vitamin D supplementation and mortality: systematic review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/vitd_mortality.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).