Vitamin D supplementation improves the metabolic syndrome risk profile in postmenopausal women

AbstractObjective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of isolated vitamin D (VD) supplementation on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk profile in postmenopausal women.Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 160 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years were randomized into two groups: VD group, supplementation with 1000 IU vitamin D3/day (n = 80); or placebo group (n = 80). The intervention time was 9 months, and the women were assessed at baseline and endpoint. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin, were measured. The plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography.Results: After 9 months, there was a significant increase in the 25(OH)D levels for VD group (+45.4%, p < 0.001), and a decrease (−18.5%, p = 0.049) in the placebo group. In the VD group, a significant reduction was o...