Safety and efficacy of increasing serum vitamin D by milk fortification

Deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D intakes are involved in the etiology of osteoporosis, and health authorities recommend that the population consume a diet providing sufficient calcium and vitamin D. We studied the safety and efficacy of milk fortified with vitamin 03.

We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fortified milk (600 JU/I vitamin 03) compared to unfortified milk in 216 subjects (aged 2-98 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(0H) D], calcium, creatinine, PTH were measured at baseline and after intervention. 109 subjects ingested 400 mL fortified milk with 240 JU vitamin D, and l 07 subjects ingested a control milk daily for 8 wk.

After subjects consumed fortified milk for 8 wk, serum 25(0H) D3 concentrations increased by 33%, and serum parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased by 40% compared with baseline; control subjects had a decrease of 7% in 25(0H) D and no significant change in serum parathyroid hormone. In the fortified group, serum 25(0H) D increased by 13 nmol/1 from 39.94 nmol/1 to 53.37 nmol/1. In the control group, serum 25(0H) D felt by 3 nmol/1 from 43.11 nmol/1 to 39 .9 nmol/1.

Vitamin D-fortified milk may assist in maintaining vitamin D status in the general population.