Vitamin D benefits Matrix - Examine
From Examine.com
In addition to the Vitamin D matrix, below, Examine has information on many other supplements
As of May 2013 their popular supplements were:
Fish Oil (725 references), Creatine (471 references), Caffeine (403 references), Agmatine (349 references), Vitamin D (301 references)
Coenzyme Q10 (301 references), Melatonin (296 references), Berberine (282 references), Nicotine (255 references), Whey Protein (251 references)
Sodium Bicarbonate (247 references), L-Carnitine (246 references)
|
Grade |
Level of Evidence |
|---|---|
|
A |
Robust research conducted with repeated double blind clinical trials |
|
B |
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled |
|
C |
Single double blind study or multiple cohort studies |
|
D |
Uncontrolled or observational studies only |
|
Level of Evidence |
Effect |
Change |
Magnitude of Effect Size |
Scientific Consensus |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
![]() ![]() ![]() Notable |
The risk of falls in the elderly (and subsequently, rate of bone fractures) appears to be significantly reduced with Vitamin D supplementation at 700 IU or greater, with... show |
|||
|
A |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
There appears to be less risk of cardiovascular disease and related cardiovascular complications with supplementation of 1,000 IU of Vitamin D or higher serum levels of... show |
|||
|
B |
![]() ![]() ![]() Notable |
100%
See study |
The association between serum Vitamin D at 37ng/mL and colorectal cancer is is approximately a halving of risk according to one meta-analysis, which is a notable risk reduction |
||
|
B |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
A decrease in bone fracture risk (nonvetebral and hip) appears to exist when supplemental doses of Vitamin D3 are taken above 800 IU, with this protective effect being... show |
||
|
B |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See 2 studies |
Both correlational and intervention studies note that higher cohorts of serum Vitamin D have less blood pressure than lower cohorts, establishing a role for Vitamin D in... show |
||
|
B |
![]() ![]() ![]() Strong |
Vitamin D supplementation is the reference drug for reductions in parathyroid hormone due to directly negatively regulating its secretion |
|||
|
B |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
Mixed effects on overweight/obese persons, but it appears that normalizing a deficiency may aid fat loss in persons of higher body weight. Insufficient evidence to suggest... show |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See 2 studies |
Cohorts of people with higher serum Vitamin D appear to die less frequently than cohorts with less serum Vitamin D; this may be heavily influenced by reducing falls in... show |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
An improvement in insulin secretion is noted in diabetics (type II mostly) and in persons at risk for diabetes, which is thought to be secondary to protective effects at... show |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
Improvements in insulin sensitivity can occur secondary to increasing pancreatic insulin secretion |
|||
|
C |
100%
See 2 studies |
No significant alterations noted in weight, even when fat mass is lost, in obese persons |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
The decrease in triglycerides is present after long term ingestion of Vitamin D, although it isn't to a highly significant degree |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
A decrease has been noted over time relative to placebo, of relatively minor magnitude |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
Either no significant influence on LDL cholesterol or a slight increase (around 5%) has been noted; practical significance of this information unknown |
||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No detectable influence on metabolic rate over time |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See 2 studies |
May reduce the risk of catching the flu |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
Persons with higher serum vitamin D appear to have less frequency asthmatic attacks relative to persons with lower Vitamin D levels |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
An increase in testosterone has been noted in men with 3,332 IU of Vitamin D over the course of a year |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Notable |
100%
See study |
An improvement in muscular and neural functionality in the elderly is thought to underlie the reductions of fall risk and reduced bone fracture rate seen in elderly cohorts |
||
|
C |
100%
See 2 studies |
The decrease in HbA1c is statistically insignificant and very small in magnitude, likely not a concern. |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
An increase in IL-5 has been noted with Vitamin D supplementation |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
An increase in lean mass has been noted in dieting obese women relative to control (2,000IU) and a trend to reduce lean mass relative to control has been noted in exercising... show |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No significant alterations in food intake noted with Vitamin D supplementation |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No significant influence on endothelial function |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No significant influence on select inflammatory cytokines |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
Superloading Vitamin D (rather than staying sufficient) does not appear to further increase absorption rates of calcium, although normalizing a deficiency can aid in absorption... show |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
Inflammatory symptoms associated with Lupus appear to be reduced with Vitamin D ingestion |
||
|
C |
100%
See study |
Lack of efficacy in reducing rate of sickness |
|||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
A higher vitamin D level in serum during growth spurts in children is associated with greater heights during adulthood; currently no evidence to support the role of Vitamin... show |
||
|
C |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
A decrease in symptoms associated with tuberculosis are noted with Vitamin D |
||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No significant influence on fasting insulin levels |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
No significant influence on fasting blood glucose levels |
|||
|
C |
100%
See study |
Although a trend to increase power output has been noted, most research suggest no such benefit |
|||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Notable |
100%
See study |
The risk of developing MS is significantly reduced by both sunlight, latitude, and supplemental Vitamin D |
||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See 2 studies |
There is less risk of breast cancer associated with Vitamin D supplementation |
||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
Appears to be associated with less risk of pancreatic cancer |
||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See 2 studies |
May reduce symptoms of athralgia |
||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
May reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes in offspring and adults when supplemented (for the former, but the mothers) |
||
|
D |
![]() ![]() ![]() Minor |
100%
See study |
There appears to be a lower relapse rate in multiple sclerosis patients when Vitamin D is present at higher concentrations |

