Food-based Solutions for Optimal Vitamin D Nutrition and Health (ODIN_FOOD)

This project aims at proving the efficacy and safety of food based solutions to prevent vitamin D deficiency in high risk populations of Caucasian and South Asian origin living in Denmark.

The study is a 12 week double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled food-based intervention trial in a real-life setting. 140 (18-50 y) women in risk of vitamin D deficiency and with Caucasian or South Asian origin. The two ethnic groups of women will each be randomised into two groups. One receiving vitamin D fortified foods and the other receiving the same kind of foods non-fortified. Foods given in the study period are free of charge for the participants and will be handed out every second week. The foods are eggs, yoghurt, cheese and crisp bread. The study includes a baseline visit and a final visit, at both visits blood samples will be drawn, anthropometrics, muscle strengths, dietary and background questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria: 18-50 year old women Low consumption of fish and fish products Low intake of vitamin D containing supplements No use of sunning facilities No planned sun-holiday between October 2015 and May 2016 Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy and breastfeeding Menopause Serious diseases (cancer, server liver or kidney insufficiencies, sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases) and medicines affecting the vitamin D metabolism (steroids, antiepileptic, thyroid hormones, bisphosphonates, oestrogen).

Gronborg IM, Tetens I, Christensen T, Andersen EW, Jakobsen J, Kiely M, Cashman KD, Andersen R. Vitamin D-fortified foods improve wintertime vitamin D status in women of Danish and Pakistani origin living in Denmark: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2020 Mar;59(2):741-753. doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-01941-6. Epub 2019 Mar 9.