Low-dose Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Prevent 25(OH) Vitamin D Decline In College Students
Zimmerman, Grace A.; Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: July 2020 - Volume 52 - Issue 7S - p 1093
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among active adults. Commonly, individuals opt to consume a multivitamin product to correct this deficiency. However, many multivitamins are often under-dosed compared to current evidenced-based recommendations. Furthermore, some companies offer a variety of vitamin formulations, with the claim of improving nutrient absorption.
PURPOSE: To compare the effects of two different forms (liquid vs. capsule) of low-dose multivitamins on 25(OH) vitamin D status following 10-weeks of supplementation.
METHODS: Thirty-two healthy males (n=15; 20.1y, 163cm, 71.7kg) and females (n=19; 22.1y, 153.4cm, 69.9kg) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. At the beginning of the 10-week intervention, participants provided a resting, fasted baseline blood sample and were randomly assigned to a liquid multivitamin supplement (LIQ; n=11), multivitamin capsule (CAP; n=11), or placebo group (PL; n=12). Participants took their respective supplement daily for 10 weeks. To maintain the double-blind study design, each participant consumed a combination of a liquid and capsule product. Placebo liquids and capsules were balanced so each group (LIQ, CAP, PL) consumed only their correct active (or placebo) treatment. The LIQ and CAP supplement both contained 268 IU of Vitamin D. Compliance was tracked by collecting empty supplement containers each week. After the 10-weeks, all participants reported back to the laboratory for a resting, fasted blood sample. Plasma samples were assayed for 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations. Data were analyzed using a 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS: There was a main effect for time (F=11.86, p=0.002, η2=0.227) with 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations significantly lower (∆: -7.8±14.9ng/mL) at post-testing. Further, there were no significant differences between treatments (F=0.200, p=0.820, η2=0.013) in 25(OH) concentrations suggesting no benefit of LIQ or CAP supplementation over PL.
CONCLUSION: It appears that a chronic low dose of vitamin D in liquid or capsule form is insufficient to maintain or elevate 25(OH)D concentrations in healthy, college-aged adults. Consumers should evaluate the dosing of their multivitamins compared to current evidence-based recommendations.