Metabolic effects of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient patients (a double-blind clinical trial).
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D has recently been given a lot of attention for its role in controlling insulin secretion. Many studies have spoken of its role in weight management, blood sugar control and many other metabolic variables.


METHODS
In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, 210 people with vitamin D deficiency were randomly allocated into two groups receiving vitamin D (50,000 units per week) or placebo for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Vitamin D levels were significantly increased in the group receiving vitamin D supplementation (13.7±5.2 unit increase versus 0.8±2.8). The increased levels of vitamin D lead to significant changes in fasting insulin levels (6.8±8.1 unit reduction versus 2.3±3.7), a 2-h insulin (31.1±34.9 unit reduction versus 4.5±24.6) and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) indices.


CONCLUSIONS
Correction of vitamin D deficiency leads to increased insulin sensitivity that was significantly able to maintain glucose in the normal range with lower levels of insulin.
National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Osati
Noncommunicable diseases research center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Reza
R
Homayounfar
National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: majidhajifaraji@yahoo.com.
Majid
M
Hajifaraji
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014807:Vitamin D
HOMA-IR; Insulin; Insulin resistance; Vitamin D