Cholecalciferol

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Vitamin D blood levels²

  Cholecalciferol raised vitamin D levels more than vitamin D2, though people with higher BMI saw less difference.

• Benefit

  Hip fracture risk in older adults³

  In people over 65, taking cholecalciferol with calcium daily reduced hip fractures.

• Open question

  Child brain development⁴

  In people, mothers with higher vitamin D levels had children with lower autism and ADHD risk, but cholecalciferol supplements made no difference.

• Benefit

  Vitamin D deficiency⁵

  Vitamin D3 supplements helped patients in this hospital, and no bad reactions were seen even at high doses.

• No harm found

  Frailty in older adults⁶

  In older people, taking cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) did not change frailty scores over five years.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Vitamin D levels in blood⁷

  Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) raised blood vitamin D levels more than vitamin D2, though scientists still have questions.

• Benefit

  Bone and muscle health⁸

  Cholecalciferol has more scientific evidence behind it than calcifediol for helping bone and muscle problems.

• No harm found

  Hormone-related health effects⁹

  Scientists found no published evidence that cholecalciferol disrupts hormones, though it is made in skin from sunlight.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.