Randomized Control Trial Assessing Impact of Increased Sunlight Exposure versus Vitamin D Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Indian Vitamin D Deficient Men.

Patwardhan VG, Mughal ZM, Padidela R, Chiplonkar SA, Khadilkar VV, Khadilkar AV.

Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism · 2017

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Abstract

Background Despite abundance of sunshine in India, Vitamin D deficiency is common and therefore there is an increasing trend toward taking Vitamin D supplements either as prescription medicine or as a nutritional supplement. Studies have suggested that duration of sun exposure may influence serum lipid profile. Objectives To study the effect of increased sunlight exposure versus Vitamin D supplementation on Vitamin D status and lipid profile in individuals with Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25OHD] Design A prospective, randomized open-label trial was carried out in apparently healthy Indian men (40-60 years). Based on 25OHD concentrations, individuals were divided into control (>50 nmol/L, n = 50) and intervention ( n = 100) groups. Individuals from intervention group were randomly allocated to two groups; either "increased sunlight exposure group" ( n = 50, received at least 20 min sunlight exposure to forearms and face between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. over and above their current exposure) or "cholecalciferol supplement group" ( n = 50, received oral cholecalciferol 1000 IU/day). Results Significant increase in 25OHD concentrations was seen in both intervention groups ( P P P Conclusions Increase in Vitamin D concentrations through sunlight exposure significantly reduced TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C concentrations, and cholecalciferol supplementation increased TC and HDL-C concentrations.