An effective oral vitamin D replacement therapy in persons with spinal cord injury

This study investigated whether taking vitamin D3 supplements by mouth for 3 months could help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who have low vitamin D levels get their vitamin D levels back to normal. The study found that taking 2000 IU of vitamin D3 every day along with calcium supplements for 3 months was a safe and effective way to increase vitamin D levels in people with SCI. Increasing vitamin D levels may help improve calcium absorption and bone health in people with SCI, who are at risk for bone loss.

• 1
  Oral vitamin D3 supplementation (2000 IU daily) for 3 months safely raised serum 25(OH)D levels into the normal range in persons with chronic SCI on calcium supplementation.
• 2
  Serum iPTH levels were significantly decreased at month 1 and month 3 compared to the value at baseline, indicating improved calcium metabolism.
• 3
  Serum NTx levels were significantly lower at month 3 than at baseline, suggesting reduced bone turnover.