Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to vitamin D supplementation using different lipid delivery systems in middle-aged and older adults: a randomised controlled trial

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2023-11, Vol.130 (9), p.1548-1557
• Main Authors: McCourt, Aislinn F., Mulrooney, Steven L., O’Neill, Graham J., O’Riordan, E. Dolores, O’Sullivan, Aifric M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Adults; Biomarkers; Calciferol; Coconut oil; Dietary supplements; Dysphagia; Edible oils; Food fortification; Glucose; Human and Clinical Nutrition; Lactose; Lipid composition; Lipids; Metabolism; Middle age; Milk; Oils & fats; Older people; Olive oil; Placebos; Proteins; Vitamin D; Vitamin D3; Vitamin deficiency; Within-subjects design
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114523000636

Food fortification improves vitamin D intakes but is not yet mandated in many countries. Combining vitamin D with different dietary lipids altered vitamin D absorption in in vitro and postprandial studies. This randomised, placebo-controlled trial examined the effect of the lipid composition of a vitamin D-fortified dairy drink on change in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. Sixty-three healthy adults aged 50+ years were randomised to one of the following for 4 weeks: vitamin D-fortified olive oil dairy drink, vitamin D-fortified coconut oil dairy drink, vitamin D supplement or placebo control dairy drink. All vitamin D groups received 20 µg of vitamin D3 daily. Serum was collected at baseline and post-intervention to measure 25(OH)D concentrations and biomarkers of metabolic health. Repeated-measures general linear model ANCOVA (RM GLM ANCOVA) compared changes over time. There was a significant time × treatment interaction effect on 25(OH)D concentrations for those classified as vitamin D-insufficient (P < 0·001) and -sufficient at baseline (P = 0·004). 25(OH)D concentrations increased significantly for all insufficient participants receiving vitamin D3 in any form. However, for vitamin D-sufficient participants at baseline, 25(OH)D concentrations only increased significantly with the coconut oil dairy drink and supplement. There was no effect of vitamin D on biomarkers of metabolic health. Vitamin D fortification of lipid-containing foods may be used in lieu of supplementation when supplement adherence is low or for individuals with dysphagia. These results are important given the recent recommendation to increase vitamin D intakes to 15–20 µg for older adults in Ireland.