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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Ms Alice Goddard
+44 (0)7350 439361
vitdstudy@ncl.ac.uk


Dr Andrea Fairley
+44 (0)1912080298
andrea.fairley@ncl.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Repletion of vitamin D levels using an oral spray vs capsule supplement among individuals who are deficient
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Repletion of vitamin D levels using an oral spray vs capsule supplement among individuals who are deficient

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Newcastle upon Tyne

Medical Conditions

Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Vitamin D is an important nutrient for bone health, helping the body to absorb calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Vitamin D is activated in the liver and kidneys, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) being the key form used to assess vitamin D levels in the blood. The risk of vitamin D deficiency (low vitamin D levels) is higher among certain groups of individuals. For example, as people age, their bodies produce and process vitamin D differently. Older adults can often spend more time indoors, which reduces their sun exposure. This makes it harder for them to get the amount of vitamin D they need. Also, those with darker skin naturally produce less vitamin D from sunlight, especially in regions with high latitudes, such as the North East of England. Therefore, supplementation may be required to ensure these individuals have sufficient vitamin D to maintain good health. This study will compare the effectiveness of two vitamin D supplements—one in spray form and one in capsule form—among older people (study 1) and people with darker skin complexion (study 2) who have low vitamin D levels. This research aims to determine how quickly each supplement raises vitamin D levels and how well participants adhere to taking them.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

11 Dec 2024 20 Jun 2025

If eligible, participants will be randomly allocated into one of three groups:
Group 1: Participants will be required to take a Vitamin D capsule (one capsule per day) and a placebo spray (one spray per day, orally) for 6 weeks (the placebo spray will have no active properties and is water based).
Group 2: Participants will be required to take a Vitamin D spray (one spray per day, orally) and a placebo capsule (one capsule per day) for 6 weeks (the placebo capsule will have no active properties and is water based).
Group 3: Participants will be required to take a placebo capsule (one capsule per day) and placebo spray (one spray per day, orally) for 6 weeks (the placebo capsule and spray will have no active properties and are water based).
On three occasions (at the beginning of the study, at 2 weeks and at the end of the study period at 6 weeks) participants will attend an appointment with a researcher at the Nutrition Research Facility at Newcastle University, a community-based location or online via MS Teams/Zoom. Vitamin D levels will be measured using a self-administered finger-prick blood spot kit at the baseline appointment – 0 hours (Day 1), and then at 4 and 8 hours (Day 1) followed by alternate days between Day 2 and Day 14. After Day 14, the self-administered finger prick sample will be taken weekly (days 21, 28, 35 and 42) until study completion.


Otherwise healthy older adults aged 65 years and over (Study 1) and those aged 18 years and over with darker skin complexion (Study 2). Participants must either have sub-optimal (<50 nmol/l) or deficient (<30 nmol/l) vitamin D levels to be eligible and this will be determined via a screening appointment with a researcher.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Individuals who report any food supplement use2. Individuals with a Vitamin D status of ≥50 nmol/L3. Recent or planned overseas vacation / sunny holiday4. Pregnant or lactating women5. History of gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, or renal disease6. History of bleeding disorders, and/or taking blood thinning medications7. Skin disorders that would impede finger prick sampling8. Those living with diabetes9. Any disability or mental impairment that precludes safe and adequate participation in the study and inability to provide consent10. Inability to understand written and verbal instructions in English


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Claremont Road
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU

To express our thanks for the participants' time and effort in taking part in the study, they will receive up to ÂŁ100 shopping vouchers upon successful completion of the study. It is not intended that participation in this research study will cause any discomfort or harm. Part of this study involves providing a small blood draw via finger-prick sampling on 14 separate occasions across 6 weeks. There is a small risk of developing bruising, fainting or excessive bleeding after the blood sampling. A fully trained researcher will demonstrate how to take the blood samples safely to ensure that any discomfort or risk is minimal.

Dr Andrea Fairley
+44 (0)1912080298
andrea.fairley@ncl.ac.uk


Ms Alice Goddard
+44 (0)7350 439361
vitdstudy@ncl.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by Newcastle University and funded by BetterYou Ltd.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN13778806
Last updated 15 April 2025

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