Effect of Vitamin D and Docosahexaenoic Acid Co-Supplementation on Vitamin D Status, Body Composition, and Metabolic Markers in Obese Children: A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether co-supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin D improves vitamin D status, body composition, and metabolic markers in obese children with vitamin D deficiency.
Results Summary
Co-supplementation with DHA and vitamin D did not improve vitamin D levels more than vitamin D plus wheat germ oil, but it increased DHA levels, potentially aiding in preventing obesity-related inflammatory complications. Both groups showed reduced fat mass percentage and improved BMI, though all subjects remained obese.
Population
Obese children with vitamin D deficiency.
Effective Dosage
500 mg of DHA and 1200 IU/day of vitamin D3.
Duration
Six months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation | no change | vitamin D status | obese children with vitamin D deficiency | - | was not more effective than | #1 |
vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation | decrease | fat mass percentage | obese children with vitamin D deficiency | - | significantly reduced | #2 |
vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation | increase | body mass index | obese children with vitamin D deficiency | - | improved | #3 |
vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation | increase | DHA levels | children receiving both vitamin D and DHA | - | presented a higher increase of | #4 |
vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation | no change | vitamin D levels | children receiving both vitamin D and DHA | - | had no effect on | #5 |
vitamin D3 + wheat germ oil | decrease | fat mass percentage | obese children with vitamin D deficiency | - | significantly reduced | #6 |
vitamin D3 + wheat germ oil | increase | body mass index | obese children with vitamin D deficiency | - | improved | #7 |
supplementation with an oral dose of 500 mg of DHA and 1200 IU/day of vitamin D3 | increase | vitamin D status | more than 50% of the subjects | more than 50% | improved | #8 |
Obese children are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives might have a beneficial effect on vitamin D status of obese children, due to their anti-inflammatory action, and increasing its absorption. This multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin D and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) co-supplementation for six months on vitamin D status, body composition, and metabolic markers of obese children with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 108 children were enrolled and 73 children completed the study: 33 were supplemented with an oral dose of 500 mg of DHA and 1200 IU/day of vitamin D3 and 41 were supplemented with 1200 IU/day of vitamin D3 + wheat germ oil. At the end of the study, more than 50% of the subjects improved their vitamin D status. However, co-supplementation was not more effective than vitamin D plus wheat germ oil. Fat mass percentage was significantly reduced, and body mass index improved in both groups, even if all the subjects were still obese at the end of the study. Children receiving both vitamin D and DHA presented a higher increase of DHA levels that could be relevant to prevent inflammatory-associated complications of obesity, but they had no effect on vitamin D levels.