Studies

Explore research connecting ingredients and health goals.

14 ingredient–goal connections

GoalReported findings
SupportiveMixedNo effectAdverseUnclassified

Weight LossandVitamin D

80published studies

Disputed

People with greater body fat often have lower vitamin D levels, but this relationship does not show that vitamin D deficiency causes weight gain. Weight loss itself can raise vitamin D levels, and observational associations cannot establish what supplementation will do. Randomized trials and reviews generally find little or no additional weight loss from vitamin D, including when it is added to diet and exercise programs.

Some studies in people with low vitamin D and obesity report greater fat or weight loss, while others in similar populations find no benefit. Pooled research also suggests small improvements in waist size or body mass index without clear reductions in body weight or total fat mass. Findings about abdominal fat in metabolic syndrome and childhood growth concern narrower or different outcomes. Overall, vitamin D can improve vitamin D status, but the supplied evidence does not establish it as a reliable way to lose weight or show that people with adequate levels gain a weight-loss benefit.

80 linked studies · 29 sampled for detail · Sep 27, 2026

Study types

  • Randomized trial26
  • Cross-sectional study18
  • Cohort study10
  • Meta-analysis9
  • Observational study6
  • Narrative review3
  • Systematic review3
  • Non-randomized trial2
  • Other2
  • Case-control study1

Published by year

  • 4Earlier
  • 32010
  • 02011
  • 12012
  • 22013
  • 32014
  • 42015
  • 52016
  • 22017
  • 62018
  • 62019
  • 52020
  • 92021
  • 102022
  • 22023
  • 62024
  • 62025
  • 62026

Findings over time

Numbers above bars show study counts. Earlier groups years before 2010.

20266 studies

  • Supportive2
  • Mixed2
  • No effect1
  • Adverse1
  • Unclassified0

Population over time

Reported participants by publication year. Select a year to see the total and reporting coverage.

— Participant count not reported. Earlier groups years before 2010.

202614,112 reported participants

Counts reported by 5 of 6 studies. 1 without a reported count.

Totals sum reported counts across studies and reviews; participants may overlap between sources.

Explore this goal

Showing 5 top-ranked studies for Vitamin D and Weight Loss.

Top studies

Vitamin D · Weight LossHighest ranked first
  1. Effect of vitamin D supplementation along with weight loss diet on meta-inflammation and fat mass in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.
    2020Randomized trial44 participants

    Clinical endocrinology

    Finding Vitamin D raised serum 25OHD and reduced PTH and several inflammatory markers within the vitamin D group.

    SupportiveView source for Effect of vitamin D supplementation along with weight loss diet on meta-inflammation and fat mass in obese subjects with vitamin D deficiency: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. (opens in a new tab)
  2. Vitamin D Supplementation and Genetic Polymorphisms Impact on Weight Loss Diet Outcomes in Caucasians: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.
    2022Randomized trial125 participants

    Frontiers in medicine

    Finding Compared with placebo, vitamin D significantly improved serum 25(OH)D and produced greater reductions in weight, BMI, and fat percentage.

    SupportiveView source for Vitamin D Supplementation and Genetic Polymorphisms Impact on Weight Loss Diet Outcomes in Caucasians: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. (opens in a new tab)
  3. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Early Life on Children's Growth and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
    2021Meta-analysis3,960 participants11 studies reviewed

    Nutrients

    Finding Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with higher neonatal triceps skinfold thickness.

    SupportiveView source for Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in Early Life on Children's Growth and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. (opens in a new tab)
  4. Can Vitamin D supplementation enhance the effectiveness of exercise-induced weight loss in overweight or obese adults? Evidence from integrated transcriptomic and meta-analysis.
    2025Meta-analysis481 participants8 studies reviewed

    Frontiers in nutrition

    Finding The combined intervention significantly reduced waist circumference; improvements in body weight and BMI were more pronounced in older adults and participants doing aerobic exercise.

    SupportiveView source for Can Vitamin D supplementation enhance the effectiveness of exercise-induced weight loss in overweight or obese adults? Evidence from integrated transcriptomic and meta-analysis. (opens in a new tab)
  5. Vitamin D receptor Cdx-2-dependent response of central obesity to vitamin D intake in the subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomised clinical trial.
    2016Randomized trial60 participants

    The British journal of nutrition

    Finding Fortified doogh increased serum 25(OH)D and reduced waist circumference, body fat, truncal fat, and visceral adipose tissue versus plain doogh.

    SupportiveView source for Vitamin D receptor Cdx-2-dependent response of central obesity to vitamin D intake in the subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomised clinical trial. (opens in a new tab)

Counts reflect published studies in our database, not the strength of a benefit. A study may appear in more than one connection.