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The effect of conventional vitamin D2 supplementation on serum 25(OH)D concentration is weak among peripubertal Finnish girls: a 3-y prospective study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 431–437 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives: To study the effect of vitamin D supplementation and the impact of summer season on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) in Finnish 9–15-y-old girls.

Design: Three-year follow-up study with vitamin D2 supplementation using D2 10 µg daily from October to January for the first and from October to February for the second winter as well as 20 µg daily from October to March for the third winter.

Setting: Paavo Nurmi Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Subjects: A total of 171 female volunteers aged 9–15 y.

Methods: Vitamin D and calcium intakes were estimated by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). S-25(OH)D was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results: The median daily dietary intakes of vitamin D and calcium were 3.8 µg (interquartile range (IQR) 2.7–5.0) and 1451 mg (IQR 1196–1812), respectively, over 3 y. The prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D (S-25(OH)D<20 nmol/l) was 14% and of moderate hypovitaminosis D (20 nmol/l≤S-25(OH)D≤37.5 nmol/l) 75% at baseline in winter. None of the participants had severe hypovitaminosis D in summer. The effect of 10 µg of D2 daily was insufficient to raise S-25(OH)D from baseline. The daily supplementation of 20 µg of D2 increased S-25(OH)D significantly in wintertime compared with the non-supplement users (to 45.5 vs 31.8 nmol/l; P<0.001). None of the subjects with vitamin D2 supplementation approximately 20 µg daily had severe hypovitaminosis D; however, 38% of those participants had moderate hypovitaminosis D at 36 months. Sun exposure in summer raised mean S-25(OH)D to 62.0 nmol/l. Both the daily supplementation of approximately 20 µg of D2 and summer sunlight exposure had more effect on those who had severe hypovitaminosis than those who had a normal vitamin D status (increase of 24.2 vs 0.9 nmol/l (P<0.001), and 38.8 vs 18.2 nmol/l (P<0.001), respectively).

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation daily with 20 µg is needed to prevent hypovitaminosis D in peripubertal Finnish girls in winter. Sunlight exposure in summer is more effective than approximately 20 µg of D2 supplementation daily in winter to raise S-25(OH)D. Both the daily supplementation with 20 µg of D2 and summertime sunlight exposure had more effect on those who had severe hypovitaminosis D than those who had a normal vitamin D status.

Sponsorship: Supported by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation and the Medical Research Foundation of the Turku University Central Hospital.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation and the Medical Research Foundation of the Turku University Central Hospital.

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Author notes

  1. T Möttönen: Guarantor: T Möttönen.

  2. M Lehtonen-Veromaa, T Möttönen, I Nuotio, K Irjala and J Viikari: Contributors: All investigators contributed to the study design and writing of the paper. ML-V recruited the participants, conducted the interviews and contributed to data analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. TM was the leader of the study, advised and took an active role in the study design, conducted data analysis, performed statistical analysis and revised the manuscript. KI supervised the lab work and revised the manuscript. IN contributed to data analysis and revision of the manuscript. JV contributed to the data management and revision of the manuscript and supervised the study.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Paavo Nurmi Centre, Sport and Exercise Medicine Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    M Lehtonen-Veromaa

  2. Department of Medicine, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland

    T Möttönen, I Nuotio & J Viikari

  3. Central Laboratory, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland

    K Irjala

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  1. M Lehtonen-Veromaa
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Correspondence to T Möttönen.

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Lehtonen-Veromaa, M., Möttönen, T., Nuotio, I. et al. The effect of conventional vitamin D2 supplementation on serum 25(OH)D concentration is weak among peripubertal Finnish girls: a 3-y prospective study. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 431–437 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601330

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