Do vitamin D supplements reduce risk of early death?
Ask the doctor
I've been taking vitamin D supplements for several years because my doctor said they might help me live longer. Am I wasting my money, or even causing myself harm?Many studies have found that people with very low blood levels of vitamin D die sooner. (Interestingly, those same studies report that people with relatively high levels of vitamin D might also have shorter life spans, but, for today, that's a tangent we won't pursue.) Our blood levels of vitamin D today probably are lower than they were for our forebears. That's because most vitamin D is produced when sunlight hits our skin, and our forebears were out in the sun a lot more than we are today.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
