Vitamin D Supplementation in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation, combined with calcium, on serum 25(OH)D concentrations and musculoskeletal health outcomes in military personnel.
Results Summary
The study found that supplementation with 800 IU vitamin D and 2000 mg calcium significantly decreased stress fractures, particularly tibial fractures, in female Navy recruits. Higher doses of vitamin D also showed a positive trend in improving 25(OH)D concentrations in military submariners.
Population
Military personnel, specifically female Navy recruits and submariners.
Effective Dosage
2000 mg calcium (combined with 800 IU vitamin D daily).
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 IU/d supplementation | increase | 25(OH)D concentrations | military personnel | mean difference, 3.90 ng/mL; 95% CI, 0.22-7.58 | improved | #1 |
daily supplementation of 800 IU vitamin D and 2000 mg calcium | decrease | stress fractures | female Navy recruits | risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.95 | significant decrease | #2 |
daily supplementation of 800 IU vitamin D and 2000 mg calcium | decrease | tibial fractures | female Navy recruits | - | decrease | #3 |
higher doses of supplementary vitamin D | increase | 25(OH)D concentrations | military submariners | - | positive trend | #4 |
vitamin D combined with calcium | increase | bone health | - | - | possible benefit | #5 |
CONTEXT: Vitamin D supplementation is important in military research because of its role in musculoskeletal health. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and musculoskeletal health outcomes in military personnel. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and the Cochrane Library databases and the reference lists of existing review articles and relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION: Reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts of the articles using predefined criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA EXTRACTION: Three reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality. Mean differences with 95% CI in serum 25(OH)D concentrations between the vitamin D and placebo arms were calculated. RESULTS: Four RCTs were included in the qualitative analyses. The 25(OH)D concentrations were improved with 2000 IU/d supplementation (mean difference, 3.90 ng/mL; 95% CI, 0.22-7.58). A trial on female Navy recruits showed a significant decrease in stress fractures (risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.95), particularly tibial fractures, from daily supplementation of 800 IU vitamin D and 2000 mg calcium. CONCLUSION: There was a positive trend in 25(OH)D concentrations from higher doses of supplementary vitamin D in military submariners and a possible benefit to bone health when vitamin D was combined with calcium.