In subgroup analyses , all cause mortality was significantly lower in trials with vitamin D3 supplementation than in trials with vitamin D2 supplementation ( P for interaction=0.04 ) ; neither vitamin D3 nor vitamin D2 was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all cause mortality .
CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D supplementation alone was not associated with  all cause mortality in adults compared with placebo or no treatment .
Vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of cancer death by 16 % .
Additional large clinical studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation is associated with lower all cause mortality .
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is associated with lower mortality in adults .
Effects of three-monthly oral 150,000 IU cholecalciferol supplementation on falls, mobility, and muscle strength in older postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.
Daily vitamin D in addition to calcium supplementation reduces falls and fractures in older women . However , poor adherence to therapy is a common clinical problem . To examine the effects of supervised oral 3-monthly vitamin D therapy on falls , muscle strength , and mobility , we conducted a 9-month r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial in 686 community-dwelling ambulant women aged over 70 years . Participants received either oral cholecalciferol 150,000 IU every 3 months ( n = 353 ) or an identical placebo ( n = 333 ) . All participants were advised to increase dietary calcium intake . Falls data were collected 3-monthly . At baseline , 3 , 6 , and 9 months , muscle strength was measured by a h and held dynamometer and mobility by the Timed Up and Go ( TUG ) test . Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D ( 25OHD ) was measured in a subgroup of 40 subjects . Mean age at baseline was 76.7 ± 4.1 years . The average serum 25OHD value at baseline was 65.8 ± 22.7 nmol/L. By 3 , 6 , and 9 months after supplementation , 25OHD levels of the vitamin D group were approximately 15 nmol/L higher than the placebo group . Calcium intake did not change significantly between baseline ( 864 ± 412 mg/day ) and 9 months ( 855 ± 357 mg/day ) . Faller rates in the two groups did not differ : vitamin D group , 102 of 353 ( 29 % ) ; placebo group , 89 of 333 ( 27 % ) . At 9 months , compared to placebo or baseline , muscle strength , and TUG were not altered by vitamin D. In conclusion , oral cholecalciferol 150,000 IU therapy administered 3-monthly had neither beneficial nor adverse effects on falls or physical function . These data together with previous findings confirm that intermittent large doses of vitamin D are ineffective or have a deleterious effect on falls . Thus despite adherence issues with daily vitamin D replacement , an intermittent , high-dose vitamin D regimen can not be supported as a strategy to reduce falls and fractures
In subgroup analyses , all cause mortality was significantly lower in trials with vitamin D3 supplementation than in trials with vitamin D2 supplementation ( P for interaction=0.04 ) ; neither vitamin D3 nor vitamin D2 was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all cause mortality .
CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D supplementation alone was not associated with  all cause mortality in adults compared with placebo or no treatment .
Vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of cancer death by 16 % .
Additional large clinical studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation is associated with lower all cause mortality .
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is associated with lower mortality in adults .