Nutrition program, physical activity and gut microbiota modulation: a randomized controlled trial to promote a healthy lifestyle in students with vitamin D3 deficiency.

BACKGROUND

University students are a high-risk group for stress, consumption of junk food and significant weight gain over a short period. Inadequate vitamin D intake has been linked to many health issues, including chronic headache, apathy, aggression and depression. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency led to dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. The purpose of our study was to estimate the effect of 90-days healthy lifestyle programs along with gut microbiota modulation in university students with vitamin D<inf>3</inf> deficiency.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 130 students (18-25 years old) with vitamin D deficiency were recruited. Both the standard care group (N.=65) and the intervention group (N.=65) received a 3-months course of individually selected nutrition program and physical activity (8000-10,000 steps daily). The intervention group received an additional treatment with synbiotic Acidolac and vitamin D<inf>3</inf> for 3 months. The psycho-emotional status of the participants was assessed by a validated questionnaire that examined situational anxiety. In all students, blood pressure, anthropometric variables, as well as laboratory metabolic parameters, were recorded.

RESULTS

In both groups, vitamin D<inf>3</inf> deficiency was associated with instability and lability of mental processes, mood swings, bad sleep, high rates of stuck and agitation for any problem. Combined therapy (diet, physical activity and synbiotic) induced a significant improvement in the psycho-emotional state of students. The 90-days therapy vitamin D<inf>3</inf> increased the level of vitamin D<inf>3</inf> in serum in the intervention group. Lastly, we observed a decrease in the body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and fatty mass, only in students included in the interventional group.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition program, physical activity, vitamin D<inf>3</inf> intake and gut microbiota modulation led to both the improvement in vitamin D levels in serum and emotional harmonization.