Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and endocrine disruptor claims
What it found
The authors found no published evidence that vitamin D3 acts as an endocrine disruptor, and say it should not be listed as one.
This was a review of existing scientific literature, not a new study in people or animals.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Beneficial effects reported
A large amount of studies conclude that vitamin D3 has or may have beneficial effects on many functions that are known to be altered by endocrine disruptors.
Other findings
Not an outside substance
Cholecalciferol is not an exogenous substance, a term used in definitions of endocrine disruptors, because it is largely made in the skin after exposure to UVB rays.
No supporting studies
The authors found no published article that supports adding vitamin D3 to the endocrine disruptor list. A PubMed search for vitamin D and endocrine disruptor returned 33 references, most of which discussed how endocrine disruptors affect vitamin D metabolism.
Public mistrust warning
The authors warn that if vitamin D3 were legally considered an endocrine disruptor, the public might mistrust vitamin D supplements. This is not desirable for public health because it could worsen the already too high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.
What the authors conclude
“We consider the aberrant decision of including cholecalciferol in the ED list should be rapidly invalidated before being effective in France and possibly disseminated in the European Union.”
Also in their conclusions
- They consider the decision to include cholecalciferol in the endocrine disruptor list to be aberrant and say it should be rapidly invalidated before being effective in France and possibly spread in the European Union.
- They warn that learning vitamin D3 could be legally considered an endocrine disruptor may cause the general public to mistrust vitamin D supplementation, which is not desirable in terms of public health.
How it was done
A French ministerial decree planned to add cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) to a list of endocrine disruptors, which worried French doctors and scientists. The authors wanted to examine the scientific basis for that decision, which appeared to stem from vitamin D3 being used at very high doses as a rodenticide in some European countries.
The authors searched the PubMed database for published articles on vitamin D and endocrine disruptors, finding 33 references as of March 10, 2022. They also reviewed definitions of endocrine disruptors and studies on vitamin D3's effects on body functions.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This paper is a review of published articles and definitions, not a new experiment in people or animals. It cannot prove whether vitamin D3 causes or does not cause endocrine disruption.
- The authors' conclusions are based on their interpretation of the existing literature and their concerns about public health messaging.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Université Paris-Saclay, Le-Kremlin-Bicêtre; Université de Lille et ULCO, Lille; Institut Pasteur, Lille
The paper
- Title
- [Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) must not be considered as an endocrine disruptor]
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Souberbielle JC, Bacchetta J, Chanson P, et al (2022). [Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) must not be considered as an endocrine disruptor]. Geriatrie et psychologie neuropsychiatrie du vieillissement. doi:10.1684/pnv.2022.1031PubMed 35929381DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error