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Taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D

  1. Guy B Mulligan1,
  2. Angelo Licata2,*

Article first published online: 8 FEB 2010

DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.67

Issue

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Volume 25, Issue 4, pages 928–930, April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mulligan, G. B. and Licata, A. (2010), Taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. J Bone Miner Res, 25: 928–930. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.67

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

  2. 2

    Center for Space Medicine, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Biomedical Engineering, Metabolic Bone Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA

*Center for Space Medicine, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Biomedical Engineering, Metabolic Bone Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Desk A-53, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 APR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 8 FEB 2010
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 8 FEB 2010 12:00AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 4 FEB 2010
  5. Manuscript Revised: 14 DEC 2009
  6. Manuscript Received: 30 OCT 2009

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Keywords:

  • vitamin D;
  • deficiency;
  • absorption;
  • administration;
  • diet

Abstract

Many patients treated for vitamin D deficiency fail to achieve an adequate serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] despite high doses of ergo- or cholecalciferol. The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of vitamin D supplement with the largest meal of the day would improve absorption and increase serum levels of 25(OH)D. This was a prospective cohort study in an ambulatory tertiary-care referral center. Patients seen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Bone Clinic for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency who were not responding to treatment make up the stugy group. Subjects were instructed to take their usual vitamin D supplement with the largest meal of the day. The main outcome measure was the serum 259(OH)D level after 2 to 3 months. Seventeen patients were analyzed. The mean age (±SD) and sex (F/M) ratio were 64.5 ± 11.0 years and 13 females and 4 males, respectively. The dose of 25(OH)D ranged from 1000 to 50,000 IU daily. The mean baseline serum 25(OH)D level (±SD) was 30.5 ± 4.7 ng/mL (range 21.6 to 38.8 ng/mL). The mean serum 25(OH)D level after diet modification (±SD) was 47.2 ± 10.9 ng/mL (range 34.7 to 74.0 ng/mL, p < .01). Overall, the average serum 25(OH)D level increased by 56.7% ± 36.7%. A subgroup analysis based on the weekly dose of vitamin D was performed, and a similar trend was observed.

Thus it is concluded that taking vitamin D with the largest meal improves absorption and results in about a 50% increase in serum levels of 25(OH)D levels achieved. Similar increases were observed in a wide range of vitamin D doses taken for a variety of medical conditions. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

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