Researchers studied whether taking vitamin D supplements could help people with chronic wounds heal faster. They worked with 46 patients who had low vitamin D levels and wounds that weren’t healing well. Half the group took daily vitamin D supplements while both groups received standard wound care. After five weeks, the group taking vitamin D had significantly higher vitamin D levels in their blood and their wounds healed about 10 days faster on average. The findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation, combined with proper wound care, may be an effective way to help stubborn wounds heal more quickly.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking vitamin D supplements helps people with chronic wounds (wounds that don’t heal normally) heal faster when they also have low vitamin D levels
  • Who participated: 46 adults with chronic wounds and low vitamin D levels who visited a wound care clinic. The group was split into two equal groups: one receiving vitamin D supplements and one receiving standard care only
  • Key finding: People who took vitamin D supplements healed about 10 days faster (roughly 16 days versus 26 days) compared to those who didn’t take supplements. Their vitamin D blood levels also increased significantly more
  • What it means for you: If you have a chronic wound that isn’t healing well and low vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplementation combined with proper wound care may help speed up healing. However, talk to your doctor before starting supplements, as this is one small study and individual results may vary

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research. Researchers randomly divided 46 patients into two groups: one that received vitamin D supplements and one that received standard care only. Both groups received the same professional wound care based on proven principles (checking the tissue type, infection status, moisture level, and wound edges). The vitamin D group took 6,000 international units (IUs) daily for the first five weeks, then doses were adjusted based on blood test results. The study tracked participants for several weeks and measured how quickly their wounds healed, how much the wound size decreased, and their vitamin D blood levels.

This research approach is important because it compares two similar groups where the only major difference is whether they received vitamin D supplements. This helps researchers figure out whether vitamin D itself—not other factors—actually helps wounds heal. By randomly assigning people to groups, researchers reduce bias and make the results more trustworthy. Tracking both vitamin D levels and healing progress shows whether the supplement actually worked as intended.

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment to groups, included a control group for comparison, and measured objective outcomes like wound size and healing time. However, the sample size was relatively small (46 people), and most participants were from one clinic in China, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The study was registered before it started, which is a good sign of transparency. About 13% of participants dropped out, which is reasonable but means some data was incomplete.

What the Results Show

After five weeks, the vitamin D supplement group had significantly higher vitamin D levels in their blood (36.75 ng/mL) compared to the control group (29.58 ng/mL). This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s very unlikely to have happened by chance. More importantly, the vitamin D group’s wounds healed much faster—averaging about 16 days compared to 26 days for the control group. This 10-day difference is substantial and was also statistically significant. The vitamin D group also showed greater reduction in wound area and wound depth, and had better scores on a standard wound healing scale (PUSH scores). These improvements suggest that vitamin D supplementation genuinely helped wounds heal more effectively.

Beyond healing speed, the study found that the vitamin D supplement group showed consistent improvements across multiple healing measures. Wounds got smaller faster, became less deep faster, and showed better overall healing progress according to professional assessment scales. The fact that multiple measures all improved in the supplement group strengthens confidence that vitamin D was genuinely helpful, rather than one measure improving by chance.

Previous research has mostly focused on diabetic foot ulcers specifically. This study is valuable because it looked at different types of chronic wounds, providing broader evidence. The findings align with earlier research suggesting vitamin D plays a role in wound healing, but this study provides more direct evidence by testing supplementation in a controlled way. The results support the biological theory that vitamin D helps the body’s healing processes work better.

The study was relatively small with only 46 participants, which limits how much we can generalize the findings. About 13% of people dropped out, which could affect results. The study only lasted several weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. All participants came from one clinic in China, so results might differ in other populations or countries. The study didn’t track whether people got enough sunlight or changed their diet, which could also affect vitamin D levels. Finally, we don’t know if the benefits would be the same for people with normal vitamin D levels.

The Bottom Line

If you have a chronic wound that isn’t healing well and blood tests show you have low vitamin D levels, ask your doctor about vitamin D supplementation. The evidence suggests it may help speed healing when combined with proper wound care. A typical dose in this study was 6,000 IUs daily, but your doctor should determine the right dose for you based on your blood levels. This recommendation has moderate confidence based on this one study, so more research would strengthen it. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

This research is most relevant for people with chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds that won’t heal, etc.) who also have low vitamin D levels. It may be less relevant for people whose wounds are already healing normally or who have adequate vitamin D levels. People with certain medical conditions, kidney disease, or those taking specific medications should check with their doctor before supplementing, as vitamin D can interact with some medications.

In this study, significant improvements appeared within five weeks. However, individual results vary. Some people might see benefits sooner, while others might need longer. Healing also depends on other factors like age, nutrition, infection control, and overall health. Expect to work with your healthcare team over several weeks to months while monitoring progress.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have a chronic wound, track weekly wound measurements (length, width, depth if applicable) and photograph the wound from the same angle weekly. Also log your vitamin D supplement doses and any changes in wound appearance, drainage, or pain level. This creates a clear record to share with your healthcare provider.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your vitamin D supplement at the same time each day (like with breakfast). Also track sun exposure time and dietary sources of vitamin D (fatty fish, fortified milk, egg yolks). Use the app to log these behaviors alongside wound healing progress to see correlations.
  • Create a weekly check-in routine: measure and photograph your wound, record supplement adherence, note any changes in healing, and track vitamin D blood test results when available. Set monthly goals for wound size reduction and use the app to visualize progress over time. Share this data with your healthcare provider at regular appointments.

This research suggests vitamin D supplementation may help chronic wound healing in people with low vitamin D levels, but it is not a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your doctor or wound care specialist before starting any supplement, especially if you have kidney disease, heart conditions, or take medications that interact with vitamin D. This study involved 46 participants over a short timeframe, so individual results may vary. Proper wound care, infection control, and overall health management remain essential for healing. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat without professional medical guidance.