Benefits of vitamin D for various diseases, dosages, and comments
| DISEASE | DOSE OF VITAMIN D USED OR CHANGE IN LEVEL OF VITAMIN D | RISK REDUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rickets111 | Requires repletion therapy when diagnosed; usually prevented with VTD levels >25 nmol/L | Complete resolution of symptoms and signs (except in cases of vitamin D resistance132) | Adequate intake of calcium also needed |
| Osteomalacia112 | 800 IU required; patients might need up to 2200 IU for up to a year | Resolution of symptoms, including bone pain, especially in pelvis, lumbar spine, and ribs | |
| Psoriasis | Topical VTD creams | Plaque thickness and redness markedly improved by UVB and VTD analogues | First-line therapy worldwide73 |
| Multiple sclerosis44 | 400 IU/d | 40% risk reduction | |
| Rheumatoid arthritis45 | 400 IU/d | 40% risk reduction | |
| Type 1 diabetes38 | 2000 IU/d | 80% risk reduction | |
| Type 2 diabetes4 | VTD level raised from 25 to 75 nmol/L | 63% improvement in insulin sensitivity | |
| Gestational diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy98 | Individualized dosing to restore levels to >80 nmol/L | Marked improvement in insulin sensitivity and insulin production | |
| Birth weight133 | For each IU/d of VTD intake, birth weight increased | Birth weight increased by 11 g/IU of VTD | |
| Osteogenesis imperfecta | 6–8 IU/kg daily | Correction of deficiency status | Recommendation of the Kennedy Krieger Osteogenesis Imperfecta Clinic |
| Polycystic ovary disease134 | 50 000 IU of VTD weekly or biweekly | Normalized menstrual cycles in >50% of patients | Very small study |
| Premenstrual syndrome135 | 700 IU/d | 40% reduction in risk of having symptoms | Increased dietary calcium is known to decrease symptoms135 |
| Colon cancer136–138 | To achieve levels of 65-100 nmol/L | 40%–80% risk reduction with supplement; rectal cancer reduced by 48%; exposure to sunlight reduced risk by 38%137 | Increased dietary calcium is known to decrease risk, but benefit for >700 mg/d is minimal139 |
| Cancer of the prostate140 | Serum level of 25(OH)D =40– <60 nmol/L | 50% risk reduction125 | 1 study suggests >80 nmol/L might increase risk141 |
| Cancer of the pancreas142 | 300–450 IU/d compared with 150 IU/d | 43% risk reduction 22% risk reduction | Higher doses gave no further protection142 |
| Cancer of the breast | >50 nmol/L compared with 50 nmol/L | 50%–70% risk reduction143 | Sun exposure reduces mortality144 |
| Cancer of the ovary144,145 | Exposure to sunlight | 16% risk reduction; risk is 5 times higher among those living farther north in the United States | Despite these studies, more information is needed |
| Upper respiratory tract infections48 | 600–700 IU given as cod-liver oil | 50% risk reduction | Also given selenium and omega-3 fatty acids |
| Lower respiratory tract infections49 | Children with levels <25 nmol/L | 11 times more likely to be infected | |
| Seasonal influenza77 | Levels as high as 125 nmol/L have been suggested | Immune function improved in various immune cells | Clinical trials needed |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis78 | To restore levels to normal physiologic levels, >100 nmol/L are suggested | Increased production of macrophages’ antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Clinical trials needed |
| Idiopathic back pain35 | Restoring levels from <25–>80 nmol/L | 100% of deficient patients had pain resolve using 5000 IU/d of VTD | 340 patients (85%) had deficient levels of 25(OH)D |
| Nonspecific chronic musculoskeletal pain117 | Restoring levels from 21 nmol/L to normal levels | 67% of patients had complete resolution of symptoms | Diagnosis prior to VTD deficiency was somatization |
| Reduced tooth loss in the elderly | 400–600 IU of VTD and 1000 mg of calcium | 50% improvement in tooth retention over 2 y | Effect of VTD not assessed independently50 |
25(OH)D—25-hydroxyergocalciferol, IU—international units, UVB—ultraviolet B, VTD—vitamin D.