The Claim

Vitamin D supplementation reduces high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 2.16 mg/dL in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Source: Can vitamin D supplementation affect cardiometabolic factors in children and adolescence with overweight and obesity? A grade-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
80score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In overweight and obese children and adolescents, taking vitamin D supplements lowers HDL cholesterol by 2.16 mg/dL.

See the scientific wording

Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 2.16 mg/dL in overweight and obese children and adolescents, based on a meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials with 252 participants, a finding that may indicate a potentially harmful metabolic effect.

Why this might work

When vitamin D supplements are taken, the body stores excess vitamin D in fat tissue, which limits how much is available to act on the liver and other organs. This shortage disrupts the process that moves cholesterol out of the blood and back to the liver for removal, causing good cholesterol levels to drop.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Can vitamin D supplementation affect cardiometabolic factors in children and adolescence with overweight and obesity? A grade-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

    This study found that giving vitamin D supplements to overweight kids and teens slightly lowered their 'good' cholesterol, which is not a good thing for heart health. So yes, the supplements seem to have a small negative effect.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.