Comparison of powdered versus oily vitamin D3 in adults with vitamin D deficiency

The Effects of Eight Weeks of Supplementation With Two Vitamin D₃ Formulations in Adults With Subclinical and Clinical Vitamin D Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Superiority Pilot Trial

Not applicable Interventional Center for Health Sciences, Serbia · NCT07317830

This study will test whether a powdered or an oily vitamin D3 supplement better raises blood vitamin D levels in adults with vitamin D deficiency over eight weeks.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorCenter for Health Sciences, Serbia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Belgrade)
Trial IDNCT07317830 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, controlled, superiority pilot trial comparing two oral vitamin D3 formulations (powdered and oily) given for eight weeks to adults with subclinical or clinical vitamin D deficiency. Participants meeting BMI and health criteria will be randomized to one of the two formulations and monitored with serial serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements to compare magnitude and speed of response and the proportion achieving sufficiency. The trial excludes pregnancy, recent supplement users, and people on medications that materially alter vitamin D or calcium metabolism. Results will provide preliminary comparative bioavailability data to inform formulation choice and design of larger confirmatory trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older with serum 25(OH)D below 75 nmol/L, BMI 18.5–29.9 kg/m2, no major acute or severe chronic disease, willing to avoid other vitamin D supplements and to attend study visits are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, underweight or obese, recent users of dietary supplements, on medications that alter vitamin D or calcium balance, or with abnormal clinical labs are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify which formulation more quickly and effectively restores vitamin D levels, helping clinicians choose formulations and dosing strategies to correct deficiency.

How similar studies have performed: Previous comparative studies have shown mixed results, with some evidence that oil-based vitamin D can raise serum 25(OH)D more rapidly but findings are inconsistent, so direct head-to-head pilot data remain useful.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 years and over
* Serum 25(OH)D \< 75 nmol/L
* BMI 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2
* Free of clinically significant acute disorders and severe chronic diseases
* No planned travel to high-UV destinations or tanning bed use during the trial
* Willing to avoid non-study vitamin D supplements
* Able to give written informed consent and comply with study visits
* Submitted informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy of breast feeding
* Underweight or obesity
* History of any dietary supplement use within 8 weeks before screening
* Medications that materially alter vitamin D metabolism or calcium balance
* Subjects with a history of medicine or alcohol abuse
* Abnormal values for lab clinical chemistry (\> 2 SD)
* Unwillingness to return for follow-up analysis
* Participation in other clinical trials within 60 days prior to screening

Where this trial is running

Belgrade

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Vitamin D Deficiency
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.