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Task Book: Biological & Physical Sciences Division and Human Research Program
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Project Title:  Vitamin D Supplementation in an Antarctic Ground Analog of Space Flight: Study of Supplementation Protocol and Relationship to Immune System Function Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2010 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2006  
End Date: 09/30/2010  
Task Last Updated: 12/13/2010 		 Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Smith, Scott M Ph.D. / NASA Johnson Space Center 
Address:  Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division/SK3 
2101 NASA Pkwy 
Houston , TX 77058-3607 		 Email: scott.m.smith@nasa.gov 
Phone: 281-483-7204  
Congressional District: 36 
Web:  
 Organization Type: NASA CENTER 
Organization Name: NASA Johnson Space Center 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Zwart, Sara  USRA/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Locke, Jim  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Pierson, Duane  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Mehta, Satish  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Bourbeau, YaVonne  Wyle/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Project Information: 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Norsk, Peter  
Center Contact:  
Peter.norsk@nasa.gov  		Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research 
Project Type: GROUND 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:   		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) N02:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (Now closed--2021)
Task Description: We recently completed a ground-based investigation evaluating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation during the winter months in Antarctica, when UV-B radiation levels are zero. A supplement dose of 2,000 IU/d raised serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to acceptable levels, but compliance was an issue that needs to be overcome. In this study, we will investigate whether a weekly dose of 10,000 IU vitamin D could be substituted for this daily 2,000-IU dose during the winter months in Antarctica at McMurdo Station. A secondary goal of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation and status on immune function in an environment known to suppress immune function. This ground analog study will enable us to provide long-duration space flight crewmembers with evidence-based recommendations for using a vitamin D supplement to achieve optimal vitamin D status before, during, and after flight.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Altered vitamin D status before and during space flight is an issue that needs to be addressed, both for ISS missions and for exploration-class missions. Our experience with doing studies in Antarctica has shown that ground-based models of insufficient sun exposure are a valuable asset to clearly determine the optimal dose of vitamin D required to maintain circulating 25 hydroxyvitamin D at optimal levels. This study will clearly determine whether a 10000 IU weekly vitamin D supplement could be used instead of a daily dose for crewmembers during space flight. This study will also determine whether vitamin D status is related to immune function in an environment known to suppress immune function in ways similar to those observed during space flight. This will have implications for astronauts on ISS and exploration missions, as well the medical and scientific communities, and the general population. Evidence of this exists from the 2007 Antarctic vitamin D effort, which was heavily cited in the 2011 IOM Dietary Reference Intake Report.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2010 
Task Progress: Study has been completed, and publication is in review. The study was conducted at McMurdo station from February through September 2009. Samples were received in Houston in October, and analyses were completed in 2010. Data were analyzed and submitted for publication in November 2010. Results indicate that a once-daily 2,000-IU and a once-weekly 10,000-IU vitamin D3 supplement are equally effective in increasing vitamin D status in subjects not exposed to sunlight for 6 months.

Bibliography Type: Description: (Last Updated: 01/25/2022)  Show Cumulative Bibliography Listing
 
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Zwart SR, Mehta SK, Ploutz-Snyder R, Bourbeau Y, Locke JP, Pierson DL, Smith SM. "Response to vitamin D supplementation during Antarctic winter is related to BMI, and supplementation can mitigate Epstein-Barr virus reactivation." Journal of Nutrition, 2011 Apr 1;141(4):692-7. PMID: 21539011 , Apr-2011
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Smith SM, Gardner KK, Locke J, Zwart SR. "Vitamin D supplementation during Antarctic winter." Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr;89(4):1092-8. Epub 2009 Feb 18. PMID: 19225122 , Apr-2009
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals Zwart SR, Smith SM. "Vitamin D and COVID-19: Lessons from spaceflight analogs." J Nutr. 2020 Jul 25:nxaa233. Published online 2020 Jul 25. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa233 ; PMID: 32710111; PMCID: PMC7454737 , Jul-2020
Journal/Magazine covers Zwart SR, Mehta SK, Ploutz-Snyder R, Bourbeau Y, Locke JP, Pierson DL, Smith SM. "Cover in Journal of Nutrition for article, 'Response to vitamin D supplementation during Antarctic winter is related to BMI, and supplementation can mitigate Epstein-Barr virus reactivation.' " Journal of Nutrition, 2011 Apr 1;141(4):692-7. PMID: 21539011 ; http://jn.nutrition.org/content/141/4.cover-expansion , Apr-2011
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Project Title:  Vitamin D Supplementation in an Antarctic Ground Analog of Space Flight: Study of Supplementation Protocol and Relationship to Immune System Function Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2009 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2006  
End Date: 09/30/2010  
Task Last Updated: 03/23/2010 		 Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Smith, Scott M Ph.D. / NASA Johnson Space Center 
Address:  Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division/SK3 
2101 NASA Pkwy 
Houston , TX 77058-3607 		 Email: scott.m.smith@nasa.gov 
Phone: 281-483-7204  
Congressional District: 36 
Web:  
 Organization Type: NASA CENTER 
Organization Name: NASA Johnson Space Center 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Zwart, Sara  USRA/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Locke, Jim  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Pierson, Duane  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Mehta, Satish  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Bourbeau, YaVonne  Wyle/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Project Information: 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Meck, J@n  
Center Contact: 281-244-5405 
janice.v.meck@nasa.gov  		Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research 
Project Type: GROUND 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:   		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) N02:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (Now closed--2021)
Task Description: We recently completed a ground-based investigation evaluating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation during the winter months in Antarctica, when UV-B radiation levels are zero. A supplement dose of 2,000 IU/d raised serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to acceptable levels, but compliance was an issue that needs to be overcome. In this study, we will investigate whether a weekly dose of 10,000 IU vitamin D could be substituted for this daily 2,000-IU dose during the winter months in Antarctica at McMurdo Station. A secondary goal of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation and status on immune function in an environment known to suppress immune function. This ground analog study will enable us to provide long-duration space flight crewmembers with evidence-based recommendations for using a vitamin D supplement to achieve optimal vitamin D status before, during, and after flight.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: Altered vitamin D status before and during space flight is an issue that needs to be addressed, both for ISS missions and for exploration-class missions. Our experience with doing studies in Antarctica has shown that ground-based models of insufficient sun exposure are a valuable asset to clearly determine the optimal dose of vitamin D required to maintain circulating 25 hydroxyvitamin D at optimal levels. This study will clearly determine whether a 10000 IU weekly vitamin D supplement could be used instead of a daily dose for crewmembers during space flight. This study will also determine whether vitamin D status is related to immune function in an environment known to suppress immune function in ways similar to those observed during space flight. This will have implications for astronauts on ISS and exploration missions, as well the medical and scientific communities, and the general population.

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2009 
Task Progress: The study data/sample collection was initiated in February 2009, and was completed in September 2009. Sample and data analysis have been initiated, and will be completed in 2010.

Bibliography Type: Description: (Last Updated: 01/25/2022)  Show Cumulative Bibliography Listing
 
 None in FY 2009
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Project Title:  Vitamin D Supplementation in an Antarctic Ground Analog of Space Flight: Study of Supplementation Protocol and Relationship to Immune System Function Reduce
Fiscal Year: FY 2007 
Division: Human Research 
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
 Start Date: 10/01/2006  
End Date: 09/30/2010  
Task Last Updated: 09/08/2009 		 Download report in PDF pdf
Principal Investigator/Affiliation:   Smith, Scott M Ph.D. / NASA Johnson Space Center 
Address:  Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division/SK3 
2101 NASA Pkwy 
Houston , TX 77058-3607 		 Email: scott.m.smith@nasa.gov 
Phone: 281-483-7204  
Congressional District: 36 
Web:  
 Organization Type: NASA CENTER 
Organization Name: NASA Johnson Space Center 
Joint Agency:  
Comments:  
Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation: 
Zwart, Sara  USRA/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Locke, Jim  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Pierson, Duane  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Mehta, Satish  NASA Johnson Space Center 
Bourbeau, YaVonne  Wyle/NASA Johnson Space Center 
Project Information: 
Responsible Center: NASA JSC 
Grant Monitor: Meck, J@n  
Center Contact: 281-244-5405 
janice.v.meck@nasa.gov  		Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research 
Project Type: GROUND 
Flight Program:  
TechPort: No  		No. of Post Docs:  
No. of PhD Candidates:  
No. of Master's Candidates:  
No. of Bachelor's Candidates:   		No. of PhD Degrees:  
No. of Master's Degrees:  
No. of Bachelor's Degrees:  
Human Research Program Elements: (1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
Human Research Program Risks: (1) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition
Human Research Program Gaps: (1) N02:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (Now closed--2021)
Task Description: We recently completed a ground-based investigation evaluating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation during the winter months in Antarctica, when UV-B radiation levels are zero. A supplement dose of 2,000 IU/d raised serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to acceptable levels, but compliance was an issue that needs to be overcome. In this study, we will investigate whether a weekly dose of 10,000 IU vitamin D could be substituted for this daily 2,000-IU dose during the winter months in Antarctica at McMurdo Station. A secondary goal of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation and status on immune function in an environment known to suppress immune function. This ground analog study will enable us to provide long-duration space flight crewmembers with evidence-based recommendations for using a vitamin D supplement to achieve optimal vitamin D status before, during, and after flight.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits: 0

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2007 
Task Progress: New project for FY2007.

[Note: project added September 2009 when received information--editor]

Bibliography Type: Description: (Last Updated: 01/25/2022)  Show Cumulative Bibliography Listing
 
 None in FY 2007
Back to Search Results