Large intermittent doses of vitamin D don’t affect risk of fractures, falls, or mortality in older adults Original paper

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, large intermittent doses of vitamin D3 increased serum vitamin D levels but had no effect on the risk of fractures, falls, or mortality in older adults.

The effect of large, intermittent (>1 month apart) doses of vitamin D3 on serum vitamin D levels and on the risk of fractures, falls, or mortality.

A total of 46,199 older adults (average ages of 60–82).

The average baseline vitamin D levels were less than 30 ng/mL (classified as insufficiency/deficiency) in most trials.

A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials was performed. In 12 trials, vitamin D3 was administered monthly at doses of 12,000–100,000 IU, of which 5 trials also administered a larger initial dose of 200,000–540,000 IU. In the remaining 2 trials, vitamin D3 was administered at a dose of 100,000 IU every 4 months or at a dose of 150,000 IU every 3 months. The comparators were a placebo or no intervention. The follow-up duration ranged from 6 months to 5.7 years.

Intermittent supplementation with vitamin D3 increased serum vitamin D levels but had no effect on the risk of fractures, falls, or mortality.