An Evidence-Based Review of Efficacy and Safety of Dietary, Natural Supplements and Sunlight in Vitamin D Deficiency

Abstract

There have been recent concerns about the propensity of calcium and vitamin D supplementation to cause cancer. In osteoporotic patients, this has led to increasing recommendations advocating the replacement of calcium supplementation with dietary or other means. Around the world, the problem of vitamin D deficiency remains, being a large contributor of rickets and osteomalacia in the developing world and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and people dependent on long-term corticosteroid treatment. We review the alternatives of vitamin D supplementation through dietary, other natural supplements as well as sunlight therapy, in an evidence-based manner. We will also review the safety aspect of each modality.