Vitamin D supplementation and its impact on leptin and interleukin-6 in women following religious intermittent fasting: a controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in populations following intermittent or religious fasting, particularly Orthodox nuns with limited sun exposure and dietary restrictions. Vitamin D may modulate adipokines and inflammatory markers, but clinical evidence remains inconsistent.

Objective

To investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leptin concentrations in Orthodox nuns compared with non-supplemented controls.

Methods

In this controlled, non-randomized trial, 33 Orthodox nuns received oral vitamin D₃ supplementation (2,500 IU/day) for 16 weeks, while 42 age-matched women following Orthodox intermittent fasting served as controls. Anthropometric indices and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25

SUBMITTER: Karras SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12689337 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature