Effects of different vitamin D supplementation strategies in reversing metabolic syndrome and its component risk factors in adolescents.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation via tablets versus vitamin D fortified milk in improving vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) markers in adolescents.
Results Summary
Vitamin D fortified milk (200 ml/day, 40IU/100 ml) showed a statistically significant increase in 25(OH)D levels but was less effective than tablets. The milk group had a 19.8% increase in vitamin D levels compared to 34.7% in the tablet group, with no significant reduction in MetS incidence.
Population
Saudi adolescents (12-18 years old) attending schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Effective Dosage
200 ml/day of vitamin D fortified milk (40IU/100 ml).
Duration
6 months (November 2014 to May 2015).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | increase | 25(OH)D levels | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | 10.7 nmol/l (34.7%) | a statistically significant increase | #1 |
vitamin D fortified milk consumption, 200 ml/day, 40IU/100 ml | increase | 25(OH)D levels | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | 6.3 nmol/l (19.8%) | a statistically significant increase | #2 |
control (educational awareness) | increase | 25(OH)D levels | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | 2.1 nmol/l (7.0%) | a statistically significant increase | #3 |
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | decrease | triglycerides | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | - | a clinically significant decrease | #4 |
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | decrease | glucose | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | - | a clinically significant decrease | #5 |
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | decrease | systolic blood pressure | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | - | a clinically significant decrease | #6 |
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | increase | HDL-cholesterol | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | - | a clinically significant increase | #7 |
vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day | decrease | incidence of MetS | Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old | 9.4% versus 4.4% | a significant decrease | #8 |
oral vitamin D supplementation | increase | vitamin D status | Arab adolescent population | - | is superior to vitamin D fortified milk in improving | #9 |
vitamin D correction | decrease | incidence of MetS | Arab adolescent population | - | Reduction in the incidence of MetS | #10 |
There is little evidence on the efficacy of various vitamin D supplementation strategies in reversing metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents. The present study aims to fill this gap. A total of 535 (243/292) out of 650 apparently healthy Saudi adolescents were randomly selected from the Vitamin D School Project database which has baseline and post-intervention information of more than 1000 Saudi adolescents 12-18 years old attending 34 schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Nov 2014-May 2015. Allocation of intervention was done in 3 groups using cluster randomization: vitamin D tablet, 1000IU/day (N = 180; 69 boys, 111 girls); vitamin D fortified milk consumption, 200 ml/day, 40IU/100 ml (N = 189; 93 boys, 96 girls) and control (educational awareness) (N = 166; 81 boys, 85 girls). All groups were given educational awareness on how to increase vitamin D levels. All groups were matched for BMI and analysis adjusted for age. Post-intervention and using intent-to-treat approach, within-group analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in 25(OH)D levels in all groups, and a clinically significant increase in favor of the tablet group (between-group) [10.7 nmol/l (34.7%) versus 6.3 nmol/l (19.8%) in milk and 2.1 nmol/l (7.0%) in control; p < 0.001], adjusted for age and BMI-matched. Between group analysis also revealed a clinically significant decrease in triglycerides (p = 0.05), glucose (p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.005) as well as a clinically significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.004) over time, all in favor of the tablet group. Within-group comparison showed a significant decrease in the incidence of MetS in the tablet group (9.4% versus 4.4%; p < 0.05) only. In conclusion, oral vitamin D supplementation is superior to vitamin D fortified milk in improving vitamin D status. Reduction in the incidence of MetS in the Arab adolescent population secondary to vitamin D correction may be dose-dependent.