Effects of 12-Week Multivitamin and Omega-3 Supplementation on Micronutrient Levels and Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids in Pre-menopausal Women

• Published in: Frontiers in nutrition (Lausanne) 2021-07, Vol.8, p.610382-610382
• Main Authors: Osburn, Shelby C., Roberson, Paul A., Medler, Jessica A., Shake, Jacob, Arnold, Robert D., Alamdari, Nima, Bucci, Luke R., Vance, Arianne, Sharafi, Mastaneh, Young, Kaelin C., Roberts, Michael D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: folate; multivitamin; Nutrition; omega-3; vitamin D; women
• ISSN: 2296-861X; 2296-861X
• DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.610382

The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of a customized vitamin-mineral supplement on blood biomarkers in pre-menopausal females. Women (21–40 years old) who were apparently healthy were recruited from the local community (ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration NCT03828097). Pretesting (PRE) occurred in the morning 5 ± 2 days following each participant's menses and involved a fasted blood draw, body mass assessment, and blood pressure assessment. Participants were then randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to either the multivitamins (MV) ( n = 43) or placebo group ( n = 51). Participants consumed two capsules per day with breakfast for 12 weeks. Following the trial, participants reported to the laboratory for POST assessments, which replicated PRE procedures. Red blood cell fatty acid and serum micronutrient analyses were performed in a blinded fashion at hematology laboratories. A group × time interaction was observed for serum vitamin D levels ( p < 0.001). MV increased levels from PRE to POST (+43.7%, p < 0.001), whereas no change occurred in the placebo group. Additionally, 78% of MV participants at PRE exhibited inadequate vitamin D levels (