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Is a daily supplementation with 40 microgram vitamin D3 sufficient? A randomised controlled trial

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Abstract

Purpose

The effect of 40 μg (1,600 IU) per day of vitamin D3 on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and markers of bone and mineral metabolism was evaluated.

Methods

This intervention study was designed as a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Forty-five community-dwelling subjects (32 females), age 55–84 years, at 58° North latitude were supplemented for 1 year with 40 μg vitamin D3 plus 1,000 mg calcium per day, or with 1,000 mg calcium per day for controls. Safety parameters and 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRACP5b) were measured over the study period.

Results

All subjects supplemented with vitamin D3 reached a 25(OH)D level above 50 nmol/L. Mean (SD) serum 25(OH)D increased from 50.4 (13.5) nmol/L to 84.2 (17.5) nmol/L, range 55.0–125.0 nmol/L in the vitamin D3 supplemented group and the corresponding levels for the control group were 47.3 (14.1) nmol/L and 45.7 (13.4) nmol/L, range 26.0–73.0 nmol/L. No serious adverse event was recorded and the highest 25(OH)D level reached, 125.0 nmol/L, is well below toxic levels. BALP and TRACP5b did not change significantly over the study period.

Conclusions

This trial suggests that a daily supplementation with 40 μg vitamin D3 is sufficient to secure a 25(OH)D level of 50 nmol/L. No side effects were observed in the study group.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Berit Lehnér, RN, for assistance and efficient organisation of the patients, and Cecilia Halling Linder, MSc, for excellent technical assistance. This study was supported by Meda AB, Solna, Sweden.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, County Council of Östergötland, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Göran Toss

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Göran Toss

  3. Bone and Mineral Metabolic Unit, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Per Magnusson

  4. Division of Clinical Chemistry, County Council of Östergötland, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Per Magnusson

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  1. Göran Toss
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Correspondence to Per Magnusson.

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Toss, G., Magnusson, P. Is a daily supplementation with 40 microgram vitamin D3 sufficient? A randomised controlled trial. Eur J Nutr 51, 939–945 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0271-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0271-7

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