Vitamin D Supplementation and Metabolism in Vitamin D Deficient Elderly

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on the reasons (mechanisms) underlying the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, body weight/obesity), muscle weakness and wasting (sarcopenia), and impaired physical function (poor balance and walking) associated with vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia/osteoporosis (bone loss). The investigators obtain vitamin D through our diet and sunlight, and its conversion to active vitamins in the liver and kidneys promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and regulation of bone growth. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency has been known for years to lead to weakened bones (osteopenia and osteoporosis). However, more recently, studies show vitamin D deficiency is associated with a number of other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, muscle weakness, frailty, and the metabolic syndrome. It has also been associated with cognitive impairment. Diabetes affects multiple organ systems including the heart, kidneys, musculoskeletal and nervous system. The possibility that vitamin D deficiency is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, muscle weakness and wasting (sarcopenia) and osteopenia/osteoporosis, and that vitamin D supplementation decreases the risk for these diseases, provides a relatively easy/accessible and inexpensive model of preventive therapy to decrease the incidence of these diseases. In addition, it is likely that genetic (inherited) factors play a role, but the relationship of these genes to these metabolic abnormalities have not been elucidated. Understanding the role of Vitamin D in health will allow us to translate these findings into therapy.

Conditions

• Vitamin D Deficiency
• Metabolic Syndrome

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

RDA Vitamin D3 only

800 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for 6 months

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin D2/3 Repletion only

Vitamin D repletion with 50,000 IU of Vitamin D2/3 up to 3 x week(until levels are \>75 nmol/l; 6-12wks) followed by 6 months maintenance supplementation with 2000 IU Vitamin D3 and up to 1000mg Calcium daily

OTHER

Vitamin D2/3 Repletion + AEX

Vitamin D repletion with 50,000 IU of Vitamin D2/3 up to 3 x week(until levels are \>75 nmol/l; 6-12wks) followed by 6 months maintenance supplementation with 2000 IU Vitamin D3 and up to 1000mg Calcium daily plus aerobic exercise training

OTHER

Vitamin D2/3 Repletion + RT

Vitamin D repletion with 50,000 IU of Vitamin D2/3 up to 3 x week(until levels are \>75 nmol/l; 6-12wks) followed by 6 months maintenance supplementation with 2000 IU Vitamin D3 and up to 1000mg Calcium daily plus resistance training

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  collaborator NIH

• Nutrition Obesity Research Center

  collaborator OTHER

• Baltimore VA Medical Center

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Andrew P Goldberg, M.D. · Baltimore VAMC/GRECC

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-05-31

Primary Completion

2013-02-28

Completion

2013-02-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations