Vitamin D and Health Status of British African-Caribbean Women

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SURREY · Nov 25, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the vitamin D levels of British African-Caribbean women, who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for strong bones and may help reduce the risk of certain diseases. The study aims to understand how factors like sun exposure, diet, and lifestyle impact vitamin D levels in this specific population, especially since many people in the UK have limited sunlight, particularly in the winter months.

To participate, women must be between 18 to 35 years old or over 55, have African ancestral origins, and live in England for more than two months. Participants should not have significant health issues or be pregnant. Those who join will visit the University of Surrey twice for about two hours each time. This research could help create better guidelines for improving vitamin D levels in darker-skinned individuals living in areas with less sunlight.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women
• • British African-Caribbean Self-reported Having African ancestral origin and migrated via the Caribbean islands, or having at least one parent with African ancestral origin that migrated via the Caribbean
• • Living in England for \>2 months
• • Aged 18-35 or \>55 years
• • No significant health issues
• • Pre-menopausal (regular menstrual periods) or Post-menopausal (menstrual periods stopped for longer than 12 consecutive months)
• • BMI 18-30kg/m2
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Women in perimenopause or menopause
• • Pregnant or planning pregnancy during study period
• • Hypercalcaemia (\>2.5mmol/L) - assessed and excluded at baseline
• • Currently receiving treatment for medical conditions that are likely to affect vitamin D metabolism (osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy, anti-estrogens treatment, antiepileptic drugs and breast cancer treatment)
• • Regular use of sun beds
• • Having a sun holiday one month prior to commencing study or plans for a sun holiday for more than 4 weeks within the study period
• • Women who take vitamin D or calcium supplements (or multivitamin supplements that contain these vitamins) - If potential participant agrees to stop supplement use to join the study, a wash-out period of 8 weeks prior to commencing the study is acceptable
• • Living in England for less than 2 months