High Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation in the Elderly

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High Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation in the Elderly

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " High-dose oral vitamin D(3) supplementation in the

elderly, " Bacon CJ, Gamble GD, et al, Osteoporos Int, 2008 Dec 20; [Epub

ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Medicine, University of

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand).

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind trial involving 63 elderly

subjects, large loading doses of vitamin D(3), as well as monthly

dosing, was found to normalize 25(OH)D levels among frail elderly

subjects. Subjects were randomized to: 1) 500,000 IU loading dose; 2)

loading dose + 50,000 IU/month; 3) 50,000 IU/month. Subjects in both the

'loading' and 'loading+monthly' groups were found to have significant

increases in 25(OH)D levels after 1 month, as compared to baseline (+58

nmol/L), after which time the levels plateaued at around 69 nmol/L for

the 'loading' group and 91 nmol/l for the 'loading+monthly' group. In

the group that only received monthly supplementation, 25(OH)D levels

plateaued at around 80 nmol/L at 3-5 months. The authors conclude,

" Large loading doses of vitamin D(3) rapidly and safely normalize

25(OH)D levels in the frail elderly. Monthly dosing is similarly

effective and safe, but takes 3-5 months for plateau 25(OH)D levels to

be reached. "

--

ne Holden, MS, RD

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

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