The investigators examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose homeostasis and metabolic markers in healthy normal weight and overweight young subjects and healthy normal-weight and overweight elderly subjects living in Beirut, Lebanon.
A low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration has been shown to correlate with higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels and other metabolic abnormalities like dyslipidemia. Previous studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation is able to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic markers. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose homeostasis and metabolic markers in healthy normal weight and overweight young subjects and healthy normal-weight and overweight elderly subjects living in Beirut, Lebanon. Participants (n= 180; 93 men and 87 women) deficient in vitamin D were recruited from Saint Charles Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. Four groups were recruited: normal-weight adults (n=30, age ≤ 65 years and BMI \< 25 kg/m²), overweight adults (n=30, age ≤ 65 years and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), normal-weight elderly (n=60, age ≥ 65 years and BMI \< 25 kg/m²) and overweight elderly (n=60, age ≥ 65 years and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Participants received a supplement of 10,000 IU cholecalciferol to be taken three times per week for a period of 6 months. Glucose homeostasis and metabolic markers were measured at start of treatment, at 3 months and at 6 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
180
All assigned patients received a supplement of 10,000 IU cholecalciferol (Euro-Pharm International, Canada) to be taken three times per week. The treatment was led for a period of 6 months.
Fasting blood glucose (mmol/l)
Change in Fasting blood glucose in mmol/l
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
HbA1C (%)
Change in HbA1C (%)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
HOMA-IR
Change in HOMA-IR
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Fasting Insulin (mIU/L)
Change in Fasting Insulin (mIU/L)
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
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