Calcium and cholecalciferol: effects of small supplements in normal men.
The effect of small calcium and vitamin D supplements on mineral metabolism in normal persons is unclear. To investigate the biochemical response to these medications, we administered 1000 mg Ca and 25 micrograms cholecalciferol per day or a placebo to 92 normal men for 1 y. The Ca and cholecalciferol were tolerated well. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D] and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25-(OH)2D] levels rose in treated subjects; there was no definite change in 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations. The average difference in 25-(OH)D levels between treated and untreated subjects was 30 nmol/L at 1 y. Fasting serum Ca, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and parathyroid hormone levels and the fasting urinary excretion of Ca, phosphorus and cAMP, were not affected. However, 24-h urinary Ca excretion was higher in the supplemented group (3.5 +/- 1.9 vs 4.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/d, p = 0.006). Serum P concentrations were slightly higher in the supplemented group at 1 y. In normal men small calcium and cholecalciferol supplements are safe, provide adequate vitamin D nutrition and apparently increase net gastrointestinal Ca absorption.
Orwoll
E S
ES
Medical Service, Portland VA Medical Center, OR 97201.
Weigel
R M
RM
Oviatt
S K
SK
McClung
M R
MR
Deftos
L J
LJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism
D008903:Minerals; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002118:Calcium