Vitamin DDoes vitamin D prevent heart disease or cancer?
Updated 3 Nov 2026
Short answer
Large trials say no. In VITAL, 25,871 US adults took 2000 IU of vitamin D3 a day or a placebo for a median of 5.3 years. Cancer and major heart events were as common in both groups.[1]
A 2022 review for the US Preventive Services Task Force found no effect on heart disease in 7 trials or on cancer in 19 trials.[2] Three reviews of trials found 12% to 13% fewer deaths from cancer, though not fewer cancers.[3] More on the heart health page.[1]
Sources (3)
- Vitamin D Supplements and Prevention of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease. Manson JE, Cook NR, Lee IM, Christen W, Bassuk SS, Mora S, et al. N Engl J Med, 2019. PMID 30415629
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. O'Connor EA, Evans CV, Ivlev I, Rushkin MC, Thomas RG, Martin A, et al. JAMA, 2022. PMID 35727272
- Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
More about vitamin d
What is vitamin D?How do you get vitamin D from sunlight and food?What is vitamin D used for?What vitamin D blood level is too low?Is vitamin D safe?Does vitamin D prevent fractures?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.