None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this 12-week study is to compare the effectiveness of consuming 2, 7 and 12 eggs per week during the winter-spring months on serum (blood) vitamin D levels in adults aged 25-40 years who are at risk of low vitamin D status. This design will determine whether there is a dose-response relationship between egg consumption and vitamin D levels, and to help assess if there is an optimal number of eggs required to maintain vitamin D status during the winter-spring months. We hypothesize that there will be a linear dose-relationship between egg consumption and vitamin D levels, and that the consumption of 7 eggs per week (equivalent to a weekly vitamin D dose of approx. 1150 IU) will maintain vitamin D levels relative to the low egg group who will experience a wintertime decline, whereas consumption of 12 eggs per week (equivalent to a weekly vitamin D dose of approx. 2000 IU) will be effective to increase vitamin D levels after 12 weeks.
Interventions
This study will be a 12-week, three-arm, randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which young adults aged 25-40 years at risk of low vitamin D status will be randomly allocated (evenly 1:1:1) to: 1) 12 eggs per week; 2) 7 eggs per week or 3) a control group (2 eggs per week).
Participants will be supplied with the required number of fresh eggs every 3 weeks (delivered either to their home or to a convenient pick-up point) and will be asked to consume them in any way they prefer each week. Recipe s
This study will be a 12-week, three-arm, randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which young adults aged 25-40 years at risk of low vitamin D status will be randomly allocated (evenly 1:1:1) to: 1) 12 eggs per week; 2) 7 eggs per week or 3) a control group (2 eggs per week). Participants will be supplied with the required number of fresh eggs every 3 weeks (delivered either to their home or to a convenient pick-up point) and will be asked to consume them in any way they prefer each week. Recipe suggestions and meal ideas will be provided. Compliance with egg consumption will be measured using an 'egg consumption record' where participants will be asked to document the eggs they consume each day/week.
Sponsors
Professor Robin Daly (Deakin University)
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
25 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 25 to 40 years - At risk of low vitamin D status based on a questionnaire asking about time spent outdoors, use of supplements, recent vacation in a sunny location or use of tanning facilities - Willing to be randomly allocated to one of three groups that will be asked to consume either 2, 7 or 12 eggs per week for 12 weeks.
Exclusion criteria
- Allergy/sensitivity to eggs - Current smoker - Regular consumer of whole eggs (>4/week on average over the past 3 months). - Currently participating in a weight loss or dietary based program (or other research study), unless weight has been stable for >3 months. - Diagnosed by doctor with any of the following: current cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, CVD or gastrointestinal disorders that can affect nutrient absorption. - Taking any of the following medication that can affect vitamin D metabolism: Corticosteroids, Glucocorticoids, Thiazide diuretics, and Anticonvulsants. - Consumption of 2 standard drinks of alcohol on more than 5 days per week over the past 2 weeks. - Occupation and/or current lifestyle (in the last 3 months) that involves spending most of the day (at least 3 hours between 10 and 2pm) outdoors. - Currently taking vitamin D supplements, vitamin D plus calcium supplements or multivitamin D supplements containing vitamin D (>200 IU/day) - Holiday in a sunny location (such as Queensland) for longer than a week in the past 3 months. - Use of tanning facilities at least twice in the past 3 months. - Unable to commit to the study requirements
Outcome results
None listed