Treatment with vitamin D or its analogues does not change body weight or blood glucose level in postmenopausal women.
It has recently been stated that vitamin D analogues can reduce body weight in animal models. We evaluated the effect of treatment with vitamin D metabolites on the nutritional status of 238 postmenopausal women, who were participating in three double-blind placebo-controlled trials, the aim of which was to prevent or treat postmenopausal bone loss. After two years of treatment with vitamin D3, 2000 IU daily (n = 25), or l alpha OHD3, 0.25 micrograms daily (n = 23), or 1 year of treatment with 1,25 (OH)2D3, 0.25-0.50 micrograms daily (n = 40), no change in body weight or blood glucose level could be detected when compared to corresponding placebo treated groups (n = 150). It is concluded that the effect of vitamin D analogues on body weight is a phenomenon which is specific for an animal model and does not occur in man.