Is vitamin D-fortified yogurt a value-added strategy for improving human health? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D-fortified yogurt (which includes calcium) compared with plain yogurt on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and secondary health outcomes.
Results Summary
Vitamin D-fortified yogurt significantly increased serum 25OHD levels by 31.00 nmol/L and improved lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric parameters while reducing parathyroid hormone levels. No adverse effects were reported, but the study primarily focused on vitamin D fortification rather than calcium-specific outcomes.
Population
Pregnant women, adults, and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome.
Effective Dosage
Vitamin D fortification ranged from 400 to 2,000 IU; calcium dosage not specified.
Duration
8 to 16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | increase | serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) | participants | 31.00 nmol/L | increased | #1 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | parathyroid hormone | participants | 15.47 ng/L | decreased | #2 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | body weight | participants | 0.92 kg | decreased | #3 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | waist circumference | participants | 2.01 cm | decreased | #4 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | HOMA-IR | participants | 2.18 mass units | decreased | #5 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | fasting serum glucose | participants | 22.54 mg/dL | decreased | #6 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | total cholesterol | participants | 13.38 mg/dL | decreased | #7 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | triglycerides | participants | 30.12 mg/dL | decreased | #8 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | increase | serum 25OHD | pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome | - | may be beneficial in improving | #9 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | increase | lipid profile | pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome | - | may be beneficial in improving | #10 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | increase | glucose metabolism | pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome | - | may be beneficial in improving | #11 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | increase | anthropometric parameters | pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome | - | may be beneficial in improving | #12 |
vitamin D-fortified yogurt | decrease | parathyroid hormone level | pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome | - | may be beneficial in decreasing | #13 |
Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, calcium, and proteins, but its content of vitamin D is low. Therefore, yogurt could be a good choice for vitamin D fortification to improve the positive health outcomes associated with its consumption. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of vitamin D-fortified yogurt compared with plain yogurt on levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD). The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of fortified yogurt on parathyroid hormone, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipid profile. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for eligible studies; that is, randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared vitamin D-fortified yogurt with control treatment without any additional supplement. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Findings from 9 RCT (n = 665 participants) that lasted from 8 to 16 wk are summarized in this review. The meta-analyzed mean differences for random effects showed that vitamin D-fortified yogurt (from 400 to 2,000 IU) increased serum 25OHD by 31.00 nmol/L. In addition, vitamin D-fortified yogurt decreased parathyroid hormone by 15.47 ng/L, body weight by 0.92 kg, waist circumference by 2.01 cm, HOMA-IR by 2.18 mass units, fasting serum glucose by 22.54 mg/dL, total cholesterol by 13.38 mg/dL, and triglycerides by 30.12 mg/dL compared with the controlled treatments. No publication bias was identified. Considerable between-study heterogeneity was observed for most outcomes. Vitamin D-fortified yogurt may be beneficial in improving serum 25OHD, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric parameters and decreasing parathyroid hormone level in pregnant women and adult and elderly subjects with or without diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome.