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Supplementation with cholecalciferol does not result in weight reduction in overweight and obese subjects

Departments of¹ , Internal Medicine² Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway³ , Institute of Medical Biology⁴ Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway

(Correspondence should be addressed to M Sneve who is now at Medical Department B, University Hospital of North Norway, PO Box 101, 9038 Tromsø, Norway; Email: monica.sneve{at}unn.no)

Objective: Investigate whether cholecalciferol supplementation leads to weight loss in overweight and obese adults.

Design: Randomized double blind clinical trial with 20 000 IU cholecalciferol twice a week, or 20 000 IU once a week plus placebo, or placebo twice a week, for 12 months. All subjects were given 500 mg calcium supplementation.

Methods: Four hundred and forty five healthy, overweight, and obese men and women (age 21–70 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.0–47.0 kg/m²). Body weight, fatness, and fat distribution parameters were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry, blood samples and 24-h urinary samples were collected.

Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups, but there was a significant inverse relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and BMI, and a significant positive association between calorie intake and BMI. Three hundred and thirty four subjects completed the study. During the study, there was no significant change in weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) or percentage body fat in any of the groups, nor between them. Parathyroid hormone decreased and 25(OH)D increased significantly in both groups receiving cholecalciferol, and serum levels of 25(OH)D stabilized after 3 months. Serum calcium was unchanged in all groups. Urinary calcium excretion increased in all groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Weekly dosage of 20 000–40 000 IU cholecalciferol for 12 months was associated with a low risk of adverse effects, at least in overweight and obese adults living at latitude 70° N.

Conclusion: Significant weight reduction in overweight and obese subjects is unlikely to occur with cholecalciferol supplementation.