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Vitamin D status and biomarkers of bone health in female Soldiers during military training
Author(s) -
Bass Laura Jean,
Karl J. Philip,
Rood Jennifer C.,
Cable Sonya J.,
Williams Kelly W.,
Young Andrew J.,
McClung James P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.996.8
Subject(s) - parathyroid hormone , vitamin d and neurology , medicine , bone remodeling , endocrinology , bone resorption , bone health , vitamin d deficiency , vitamin , physiology , bone mineral , calcium , osteoporosis
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining bone health. It has been suggested that low vitamin D levels in female Soldiers during military training may increase the risk of stress fractures and associated lost duty days or attrition from military duty; however, vitamin D levels together with bone health biomarkers in female Soldiers are not well documented. In the present study, we examined changes in vitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) levels in fasting blood samples of female Soldiers (n = 71; age [mean ± SD] 23 ± 6 yr) every 3 weeks during a 10‐week basic combat training (BCT) course. Mean 25(OH)D levels pre‐BCT were 64.1 ± 32.0 nmol/L, indicating that 70% of female Soldiers began BCT with levels below 75 nmol/L; commonly used to define suboptimal vitamin D status. Mean 25(OH)D levels did not change during BCT; however, increases in PTH (34%), BAP (42%) and TRAP (12%) were observed by week 6 of BCT (p<0.05, all such). The observed rise in BAP and TRAP levels indicate increased bone formation and resorption during BCT. Future studies should determine the impact of vitamin D status on functional indicators of bone health during periods of accelerated bone turnover such as military training. Research supported by MRMC.