Vitamin D supplementation in postmenopausal black women.

Black women have lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) with higher serum PTH levels than white women. Correction of these alterations in the vitamin D-endocrine system could lead to less bone loss in postmenopausal women and, consequently, preservation of bone mass. Ten healthy postmenopausal black women were given 20 microg vitamin D3 daily for 3 months. At the end of the study, mean serum 25OHD levels had increased from 24 to 63 nmol/L. Serum intact PTH and nephrogenous cAMP declined significantly, and there was a 21% drop in the fasting urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen. Vitamin D3 supplementation raises serum 25OHD levels in postmenopausal black women, decreases secondary hyperparathyroidism, and reduces bone turnover. These findings should spur further investigation of the use of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of osteoporosis in this population.