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Minerals, trace elements, Vit. D and bone health

The impact of 1-year vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in athletes: a dose–response study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 70, pages 1009–1014 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Dutch athletes and to define the required dosage of vitamin D3 supplementation to prevent vitamin D deficiency over the course of a year.

Subjects/Methods:

Blood samples were collected from 128 highly trained athletes to assess total 25(OH)D concentration. Of these 128 athletes, 54 male and 48 female athletes (18–32 years) were included in a randomized, double blind, dose–response study. Athletes with either a deficient (<50 nmol/l) or an insufficient (50–75 nmol/l) 25(OH)D concentration were randomly assigned to take 400, 1100 or 2200 IU vitamin D3 per day orally for 1 year. Athletes who had a total 25(OH)D concentration above 75 nmol/l at baseline continued with the study protocol without receiving vitamin D supplements. Serum total 25(OH)D concentration was assessed every 3 months, as well as dietary vitamin D intake and sunlight exposure.

Results:

Nearly 70% of all athletes showed an insufficient (50–75 nmol/l) or a deficient (<50 nmol/l) 25(OH)D concentration at baseline. After 12 months, serum 25(OH)D concentration had increased more in the 2200 IU/day group (+50±27 nmol/l) than the sufficient group receiving no supplements (+4±17 nmol/l; P<0.01) and the 1100 IU/day group (+25±23 nmol/l; P<0.05). Supplementation with 2200 IU/day vitamin D resulted in a sufficient 25(OH)D concentration in 80% of the athletes after 12 months.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in athletes. Athletes with a deficient or an insufficient 25(OH)D concentration can achieve a sufficient 25(OH)D concentration within 3 months by taking 2200 IU/day.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the students and Lucy Okma for assisting during the tests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    E M P Backx, M Tieland, M Mensink & L C P G M de Groot

  2. Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Confederation (NOC*NSF), Arnhem, The Netherlands

    K Maase

  3. DSM Biotechnology Center, Delft, The Netherlands

    A K Kies

  4. NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    L J C van Loon

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  1. E M P Backx
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Correspondence to L C P G M de Groot.

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Competing interests

The project is funded by DSM, Food Specialties (Delft, The Netherlands) and the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC)*Dutch Sports Federation (NSF) (Arnhem, The Netherlands). EMP Backx, M Tieland, M Mensink, LJ van Loon and CPMG de Groot have no conflicts of interest. K Maase is a researcher with Unit Elite Sports, Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Confederation (NOC*NSF). AK Kies is a researcher with DSM Food Specialties.

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Backx, E., Tieland, M., Maase, K. et al. The impact of 1-year vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in athletes: a dose–response study. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 1009–1014 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.133

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