Diet can increase 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 plasma levels in the elderly: a dietary intervention trial

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2003-09, Vol.23 (9), p.1177-1181
• Main Authors: Panunzio, Michele F., Pisano, Alessandra, Telesforo, Paolo, Tomaiuolo, Patrizia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary; Elderly; Italy; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Other nutritional diseases (malnutrition, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies...)
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(03)00113-1

Vitamin D deficiency is very common in elderly people. We investigated whether a diet contained 400 IU of vitamin D per day for 10 weeks could increase plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3, a good measure of body status for vitamin D. The study groups included 232 subjects, aged 65-74 years (114 men and 118 women), who were assigned at random into two groups: 98 participants in intervention group received a diet which included 400 IU of vitamin D, and 134 in control group were given a diet without the Vitamin D addition. At the conclusion of the study, the intervention group showed a 102.3% increase of 25(OH)D3 plasma levels (40.2 nmol/L to 81.3 nmol/L, p < 0.0001), while the control group an increase of 1.8% (39.1 nmol/L to 39.8 nmol/L, p > 0.05). The difference, also evaluated by Mantel-Haenszel estimate, at the end of study between two groups was highly significant (p < 0.0001). This suggest that a diet contained 400 IU/d of vitamin D could improve vitamin D status in elderly people. A daily intake of 400 UI of vitamin D with diet must be recommended for elderly people to prevent hypovitaminosis D and to reduce risks of bone loss and fracture.