Weekly Vitamin D3 Improves Vitamin D Deficiencies, Not Neuromuscular Dysfunctions
- Weekly supplementation with vitamin D3 raises blood levels of vitamin D in elderly people who are vitamin D deficient but did not improvement balance and neuromuscular function. This is according to a study published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Study authors report that “Vitamin D insufficiency, which is prevalent in older individuals, is associated with bone and muscle weakness and falls.” This study examined the effects of a weekly dose of 8400 IU vitamin D3 on balance problems, muscle strength, and safety in older individuals.
Researchers analyzed participants who were 70 years and older with deficient levels of vitamin D and randomly assigned them to receive a weekly dose of 8400 IU of vitamin D3 or placebo.
The main endpoint of the study was to assess improvements in balance and stability along with vitamin D levels.
The study authors reported that patients who were treated with supplemental vitamin D 8400 IU once a week had a significant increase in vitamin D blood levels, increasing from 13.9 to 26.2 ng/mL. Researchers reported that there was no improvement in balance or neuromuscular function according to their tests after 16 weeks of treatment.
Although low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with imbalance and neuromuscular dysfunction, replacement of vitamin D3 did not appear to help. However, this study did show that weekly vitamin D3 dosing was helpful in raising blood levels of vitamin D.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
Am J Clin Nutr. February 2010
Posted on February 19, 2010
