The NASA Task Book

Responsible Center: NASA JSC Grant Monitor: Norsk, Peter Center Contact: Peter.norsk@nasa.gov Unique ID: 7605	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) Food and Nutrition:Risk of Performance Decrement and Crew Illness Due to Inadequate Food and Nutrition (2) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition

Human Research Program Gaps:	(1) N2:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (This Gap is now Closed)

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:

Description: (Last Updated: 05/15/2025)

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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

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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

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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 Unique ID: 7605	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) Food and Nutrition:Risk of Performance Decrement and Crew Illness Due to Inadequate Food and Nutrition (2) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition

Human Research Program Gaps:	(1) N2:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (This Gap is now Closed)

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:

Description: (Last Updated: 05/15/2025)

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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 Task Book 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 Unique ID: 7605	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) Food and Nutrition:Risk of Performance Decrement and Crew Illness Due to Inadequate Food and Nutrition (2) Nutrition:Risk of Inadequate Nutrition

Human Research Program Gaps:	(1) N2:What is the adequate dose range of vitamin D supplementation? (This Gap is now Closed)

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:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2007

Task Progress:

New project for FY2007.

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

Bibliography:

Description: (Last Updated: 05/15/2025)

Show Cumulative Bibliography

None in FY 2007

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