How to reduce the burden of disease in the United States through increased vitamin D3

The health benefits of vitamin D3 now encompass prevention of fractures, about 20 types of cancer, infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, influenza, septicemia and tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. While these benefits have been found largely through ecological and observational studies, a number of these benefits have also been confirmed in randomized controlled trials providing that the vitamin D3 doses were large enough.

Observational and randomized controlled trial studies have found that it takes at least 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D3 and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcidiol) levels of 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L) for substantial benefits. 1100 IU/day can raise serum calcidiol by about 10 ng/mL. In the United States, people obtain most of their vitamin D3 from solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiance, with about 250-300 International Units (IU) coming from dietary sources and some from supplements.

There are some relatively small risks associated with increasing serum calcidiol levels. Increased UV irradiance increases the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Increased serum calcidiol levels can lead to the formation of kidney stones through increased absorption of calcium.

Our objective is to estimate how much the economic burden of disease could be reduced in the United States if everyone obtained enough vitamin D3 to increase serum calcidiol levels to 40-60 ng/mL.