A Single Wintertime Dose of Vitamin D3 to Prevent Winter Decline in Vitamin D Status in Healthy Adults

A Single Wintertime Dose of Vitamin D3 to Prevent Winter Decline in Vitamin D Status in Healthy Adults

A Single Wintertime Dose of Vitamin D3 to Prevent Winter Decline in Vitamin D Concentrations in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to determine if a single dose of vitamin D administered orally in the fall will provide adequate vitamin D in healthy individuals for the duration of the winter, during which vitamin D levels are known to decrease. The investigators are also interested in finding out if this level of vitamin D will provide adequate levels for the remainder of the year. While the benefits of once-yearly vitamin D administration are clear for patients with osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, and other conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency and high bone turn-over, studies have not been performed in which high doses of vitamin D were used to prevent the seasonal decline of vitamin D concentrations in healthy individuals. These findings could provide evidence to support vitamin D administration to healthy individuals in the wintertime to improve health outcomes, and provide the basis for additional studies in both healthy and sick populations.

Vitamin D, synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol during ultraviolet- B exposure, aids in the absorption of calcium from the G.I. tract. Indirectly, by maintaining optimal calcium homeostasis, adequate vitamin D concentrations are essential in skeletal health (by preventing rickets and osteomalacia), cardiovascular health (by lowering the risk for hypertension), and ultimately decreasing mortality. Due to decreased direct sunlight exposures in the winter (characterized by limited outdoor activity, increased clothing coverage, and angle of the sun), vitamin D concentrations are shown to decline in individuals over the winter. Once-yearly administration of a bolus of vitamin D offers a means of preventing the seasonal decline in vitamin D status and preventing vitamin D deficiency. If proven successful, a once-yearly dose of vitamin D would provide improved compliance relative to daily or monthly dosing and provide an inexpensive and easy way to ensure optimal concentrations of vitamin D year-round. This pilot study plans to investigate if once a year dosing with vitamin D during the winter months in self-identified healthy adults will be effective in maintaining optimal vitamin D status for the entire year. In brief, this study will be a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of 250,000 IU of vitamin D3 compared to placebo given once in 30 healthy individuals (15 subjects per arm) in November. The serum 25(OH)D (the best measurable level of vitamin D status) will be measured after both 3-4 months and 1 year to determine the efficacy of the dose relative to the 15 healthy controls. The intent of this clinical investigation is not to evaluate the dietary supplement's ability to diagnose, cure, mitigate or prevent disease. This study is to evaluate blood concentrations of this regimen of vitamin D. Ultimately, this study hopes to determine if a single dose of vitamin D administered orally in the fall will provide adequate vitamin D in healthy young individuals for the 3 months during winter, during which vitamin D levels are known to decrease, and over the entire year. These findings could provide evidence to support vitamin D administration to healthy individuals in wintertime to improve health outcomes, and provide the basis for additional studies in both healthy and sick populations. Secondary outcomes of this study will evaluate other hypothesized effects of vitamin D on biomarkers affecting health status and immunity, including markers of inflammation and markers of iron status.

Received identical pills that do not contain vitamin D. Blood levels of 25(OH)D determined at 10 days, 3 months, and 1 year following placebo dose.

250,000 IU cholecalciferol as single, oral dose. Blood levels 25(OH)D measured at 10 days, 3 months, and 1 year following dose.

Measure blood levels of 25(OH)D, an indicator of vitamin D status, at 10 days, 3 months, and 1 year following vitamin D or placebo dose.

Measured blood calcium levels at 10 days following dose. This measure assessed safety of large vitamin D dose regarding its potential to cause hypercalcemia.

Measured blood cytokine (IL-6, IL-1B, IL-8, MCP-1) concentrations at baseline, 10 days, 3 months, and 1 year

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Healthy adult (by self-report) between ages 18-65 Exclusion Criteria: reported granulomatous conditions history of kidney disease (renal failure, renal stones, serum creatinine over 0.06 ng/mL in the past) diabetes currently taking anticonvulsants, barbituates, antihypertensives, steroids of any form, or drugs that effect bone metabolism history of calcium or bone abnormalities (including osteoporosis) primary hyperparathyroidism thyrotoxicosis Paget's disease history of malignancy known liver disease calcium supplements >1000 mg/day complete immobilization

Kearns MD, Binongo JN, Watson D, Alvarez JA, Lodin D, Ziegler TR, Tangpricha V. The effect of a single, large bolus of vitamin D in healthy adults over the winter and following year: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015 Feb;69(2):193-7. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.209. Epub 2014 Oct 1. Erratum In: Eur J Clin Nutr. 2023 Jun;77(6):698.