Vitamin D3 and fractures in generally healthy adults (VITAL)
The question: Does everyone need a vitamin D supplement for their bones?
- Study type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Participants
- 25,871
- Population
- Generally healthy US men over 50 and women over 55, mostly not deficient
- Intervention
- Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily
- Compared with
- Placebo
- Duration
- Median 5.3 years
- Published
- New England Journal of Medicine, 2022
What was measured
Total, non-vertebral and hip fractures.
What was found
Vitamin D3 did not reduce total, non-vertebral or hip fractures compared with placebo.
Limitations
Most participants were not deficient. The authors noted that the results do not apply to people with deficiency, low bone mass or osteoporosis.
What it means
Supplements help most when they correct a shortfall. Testing and targeting are wiser than assuming everyone benefits.
Source
LeBoff MS, Chou SH, Ratliff KA, et al. Supplemental vitamin D and incident fractures in midlife and older adults. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(4):299-309.
Read the original (DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2202106) · Source verified 8 October 2026
Connected
Study summaries describe published research for education. They are not claims about any product and are not medical advice.