There is currently no firm evidence that vitamin D supplementation decreases or increases cancer occurrence in predominantly elderly community-dwelling women .
Vitamin D₃ supplementation  decreased cancer mortality  and vitamin D supplementation  decreased all-cause mortality , but these estimates are at risk of type I errors due to the fact that too few participants were examined , and to risks of attrition bias originating from substantial dropout of participants .
Combined vitamin D₃ and calcium supplements  increased nephrolithiasis , whereas it remains unclear from the included trials whether vitamin D₃ , calcium , or both were responsible for this effect .
BACKGROUND The evidence on whether vitamin D supplementation is effective in decreasing cancers is contradictory .
OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D supplementation for prevention of cancer in adults .
Efficacy and safety of high dose intramuscular or oral cholecalciferol in vitamin D deficient/insufficient elderly.
OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare the effects and safety of high dose intramuscular ( IM ) or oral cholecalciferol on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25(OH)D ] levels , muscle strength and physical performance in vitamin D deficient/insufficient elderly . STUDY DESIGN R and omized prospect i ve study . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES 116 ambulatory individuals aged 65 years or older living in a nursing home were evaluated . Eligible patients with 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/ml ( n=66 ) were r and omized to IM or Oral groups according to the administration route of 600,000 IU cholecalciferol . Demographic and descriptive data were collected . Biochemical response was measured at baseline , 6th and 12th weeks . Muscle strength was measured from quadriceps by using a h and -held dynamometer and physical performance was evaluated by short physical performance battery ( SPPB ) at the beginning and 12th week . RESULTS Among the screened ambulatory elderly only 5.2 % ( n=6 ) had adequate vitamin D levels . 37.1 % ( n=43 ) were vitamin D deficient and 57.7 % ( n=67 ) were insufficient . After administration of one megadose of vitamin D , mean serum 25(OH)D levels increased significantly at 6th week ( 32.72±9.0 ng/ml ) and at 12th week ( 52.34±14.2 ng/ml ) compared with baseline ( 11.76±7.6 ng/ml ) in IM group ( p<0.0001 ) . In Oral group levels were 47.57±12.7 ng/ml , 42.94±13.4 ng/ml and 14.87±6.9 ng/ml , respectively ( p<0.0001 ) . At 12th week the increase in IM group was significantly higher than Oral group ( p=0.003 ) . At the end of the study period , serum 25(OH)D levels were ≥30 ng/ml in all patients in IM group and in 83.3 % of the patients in the Oral group . Quadriceps muscle strength and SPPB total score increased significantly in both groups and SPPB balance subscale score increased only in IM group . Six patients ( 9.6 % ) developed hypercalciuria , no significant adverse events were observed . CONCLUSION In vitamin D deficient/insufficient elderly , a single megadose of cholecalciferol  increased vitamin D levels significantly and the majority of the patients reached optimal levels . Although both administration routes are effective and appear to be safe , IM application is more effective in increasing 25(OH)D levels and balance performance
There is currently no firm evidence that vitamin D supplementation decreases or increases cancer occurrence in predominantly elderly community-dwelling women .
Vitamin D₃ supplementation  decreased cancer mortality  and vitamin D supplementation  decreased all-cause mortality , but these estimates are at risk of type I errors due to the fact that too few participants were examined , and to risks of attrition bias originating from substantial dropout of participants .
Combined vitamin D₃ and calcium supplements  increased nephrolithiasis , whereas it remains unclear from the included trials whether vitamin D₃ , calcium , or both were responsible for this effect .
BACKGROUND The evidence on whether vitamin D supplementation is effective in decreasing cancers is contradictory .
OBJECTIVES To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of vitamin D supplementation for prevention of cancer in adults .