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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Vitamin D and Reduced Pain

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect5 studies · 3 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 5 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of vitamin D on pain reduction, with effect sizes predominantly small (2 studies) and one moderate, while 2 studies found neutral effects. The evidence is based on diverse clinical populations, and no consistent dose or form was identified.

  • Studied populations: Clinical populations including postmenopausal women with breast cancer, patients with sciatica, rheumatic diseases, knee osteoarthritis, and children with abdominal pain.

Caveats: The highest quality evidence (meta-analysis with 1250 participants) found very uncertain effect and did not meet the minimal clinically important difference for pain. The only RCT showing benefit (moderate effect) used vitamin D as part of a combination therapy (alpha lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, resveratrol), so the isolated effect of vitamin D is unclear. Additionally, the evidence base includes small reviews and heterogeneous populations, limiting generalizability.

Generated Jul 13, 2026
Doses used in studies
  • IU/day: 800 (median 800, IQR 800–800) — 1 study
Time to effect
Median: 4.3 weeks · IQR 4.3 weeks–4.3 weeks · Range 4.3 weeks–4.3 weeks — Reported in 1 of 5 studies
5 of 5 papers
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