the association between vitamin d and health outcomes in women: a review on the related evidence

background: vitamin d has a wide range of physiological functions in skeletal and nonskeletal tissues which may play a role in many diseases. the aim of this study was to evaluate the recent evidence regarding the effects of vitamin d on several health outcomes in women including breast cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers, hypertension, and  osteoporosis. materials and methods: we searched pubmed and google scholar databases through march 2016. we included the most current systematic reviews and meta?analyses assessing the associations of vitamin d intake and/or serum 25?hydroxyvitamin d (25(oh)d) levels with the risk of incidence of breast cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers, hypertension, and osteoporosis. results: many studies have represented that vitamin d supplementation and high 25(oh)d levels can  decrease the risk of breast cancer occurrence or mortality. however, there is no strong evidence to support the existence of a relationship between vitamin d and ovarian or endometrial cancers. furthermore,  the results regarding the effects of vitamin d on hypertension were inconsistent. although observational studies have shown an association between vitamin d and hypertension, there is no evidence regarding effectiveness of vitamin d in lowering blood pressure in several clinical trials. on the other hand, the findings associating the impact of vitamin d on osteoporosis were more definitive and most studies have represented that vitamin d may have beneficial effects on osteoporosis. conclusion: although the adequate vitamin d level can play a protective role in the incidence and development of breast cancer, hypertension, and osteoporosis, there is limited evidence regarding ovarian and endometrial cancers.