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# Vitamin D lowers cancer mortality, but not incidence?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/vitamin_d_cancer_mortality_0613140155/
- Published: 2014-06-13T02:54:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:24:24.000Z
- Description: Pooling randomized trials, a meta-analysis found daily doses of 400 to 1,100 had little effect on total cancer incidence over two to seven years but lowered cancer death risk by a significant 12 percent. The writer argues those doses are low and suggests adults may need 5,000 IU a day.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Friday June 13, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Early observational studies have suggested that taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of cancer mortality, but not the risk of cancer development. A meta-analysis of previous randomized controlled trials confirms the early conclusion. During a period of 2 to 7 years, based on data from four trials, vitamin D supplementation was found to have little effect on total cancer incidence when the vitamin was used in a dose of 400 to 1100 per day. However, based on data from three trials, vitamin D supplementation lowered the risk of death from cancer by 12%, which was significant. Vitamin D experts may agree that the dosage used in the trials may be way too low. For adults to have a preventative effect, a minimum of 5000 IU per day of vitamin D may be needed.

Keum N, Giovannucci E. Vitamin D supplements and cancer incidence and mortality: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Cancer 2014 Jun 10\. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.294.