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Related Experiment Videos

Vitamin D supplementation in underway submariners.

Christopher A Duplessis1, Eric B Harris, Donald E Watenpaugh

  • 1Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Groton, CT 06349, USA. Duplessis@nsmrl.navy.mil

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|June 11, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Vitamin D supplementation did not maintain levels in submariners deprived of sunlight. Short sun exposure helped bone turnover, but 400 IU daily was insufficient for vitamin D sufficiency.

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Area of Science:

  • Naval Medicine
  • Nutritional Science
  • Bone Physiology

Background:

  • Assessed vitamin D efficacy in maintaining calcium and bone homeostasis in submariners.
  • Submariners experience prolonged sunlight deprivation, posing risks to bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of 400 IU daily vitamin D supplementation.
  • To determine if supplementation prevents bone resorption in a controlled, low-sunlight environment.

Main Methods:

  • 51 submariners were monitored during a 76-day deployment.
  • Serum levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D), bone markers, and calcium were measured.
  • A placebo-controlled trial with vitamin D supplementation was conducted.

Main Results:

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  • Both groups showed decreased 25(OH)D levels during submergence.
  • Vitamin D supplementation did not prevent these decreases.
  • Bone resorption markers (osteocalcin) increased post-liberty, indicating bone turnover.

Conclusions:

  • 400 IU daily vitamin D was insufficient to maintain serum vitamin D levels.
  • Submariners showed biochemical evidence of bone resorption and turnover.
  • A 6-day liberty period with sunlight exposure partially compensated for vitamin D deficiency.