The effect of short-term vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile and blood pressure in post-menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with a series of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, metabolic disorders, obesity, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. Objective: To assess the effect of oral vitamin D3 on cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 76 healthy post-menopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency (defined as a 25-[OH] D level <75 nmol/L) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D3 2000 IU once daily (n = 38) or placebo (n = 38). The trial was undertaken in the different health centers in Gorgan, north of Iran. Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and blood pressure of the patients was assessed at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks after the trial. Data were entered into the computer using SPSS and analyzed by t-test. RESULTS: FBS, lipid profile and blood pressure were not significantly different between the groups after 12 weeks (P > 0.05). No participant discontinued treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D dietary supplementation is unlikely to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in post-menopausal women with vitamin D deficiency.