Randomized control trial of moderate dose vitamin D alters microbiota stability and metabolite networks in healthy adults.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed 39189761 · doi:10.1128/spectrum.00083-24
What was done
Healthy adults were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of moderate-dose vitamin D3 (4,000 IU daily) versus placebo for 12 weeks on serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D), fecal microbiota structure, stability, and metabolite networks.
What was found
Vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased serum 25(OH)D compared with placebo (P < 0.0001). Supplementation significantly increased compositional similarity (P < 0.0001) and enriched members of the Bifidobacteriaceae family. An inverse relationship occurred between the percent change in serum 25(OH)D and microbial stability in the treatment group (R = -0.52, P < 0.019). Specific metabolite changes were reported as metabolic shifts without numerical values in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides randomized evidence that moderate-dose vitamin D3 modifies gut microbial community composition and metabolic associations in healthy adults.
Limits
The abstract omits the sample size (n), participant age/sex breakdown, baseline vitamin D status, and exact quantitative metrics for specific metabolites and clinical endpoints.