Vitamin D in the form of vitamin D(3 ) seems to decrease mortality in predominantly elderly women who are mainly in institutions and dependent care .
Vitamin D(2 ) , alfacalcidol , and calcitriol had no statistically significant effect on mortality .
Vitamin D(3 ) combined with calcium significantly increased nephrolithiasis .
Both alfacalcidol and calcitriol significantly increased hypercalcaemia
BACKGROUND The available evidence on vitamin D and mortality is inconclusive .
OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D for prevention of mortality in adults .
Can vitamin D supplementation prevent winter-time blues? A randomised trial among older women.
BACKGROUND Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD ) is a sub-type of depression that only occurs during the winter months . A reduction in vitamin D may be linked to SAD . Since vitamin D deficiency has been reported to be common in older people , vitamin D supplementation may be expected to reduce seasonal mood disturbance in this group . OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the mental health of older women . SETTING Primary care in three areas of the UK ( Herts , Newcastle , York ) . SUBJECTS Women aged 70 years or more recruited to the trial in the months May-October . INTERVENTION Eligible women were r and omised to receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation or no supplementation . OUTCOME MEASURE At baseline and the six monthly assessment the mental component score ( MCS ) , calculated from the SF-12 question naire was used to assess participants ' subjective psychological well-being . RESULTS A total of 2117 women recruited to the trial had their baseline measures taken between the months of May-October ( 1205 woman in the control group and 912 women in the intervention group ) . Of these women , 1621 had a  MCS score at baseline and six months . Comparison of the six month mean MCS scores , adjusting for baseline MCS score and age , showed there was no significant difference between the two scores ( p = 0.262 ) . CONCLUSIONS Supplementing elderly women with 800 IU of vitamin D daily did not lead to an improvement in mental health scores
Vitamin D in the form of vitamin D(3 ) seems to decrease mortality in predominantly elderly women who are mainly in institutions and dependent care .
Vitamin D(2 ) , alfacalcidol , and calcitriol had no statistically significant effect on mortality .
Vitamin D(3 ) combined with calcium significantly increased nephrolithiasis .
Both alfacalcidol and calcitriol significantly increased hypercalcaemia
BACKGROUND The available evidence on vitamin D and mortality is inconclusive .
OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D for prevention of mortality in adults .