In fact, volunteers consumed less than one third of the current RDA for vitamin D both before and during training. Although sunlight exposure was not quantified during BCT, declines in serum ARN-509 nmr 25(OH)D levels observed in white volunteers coupled with suboptimal serum 25(OH)D levels in non-white volunteers throughout the study indicate that strategies to improve dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium during military training may be needed to improve vitamin D status. Further, sweat mineral losses were not quantified in the present study. Estimates

of mineral losses through sweat vary depending upon collection and assay techniques [36–38]. If significant calcium losses were to occur through sweating during military training, this could affect nutritional requirements and could affect bone health by stimulating PTH [39]. Conclusion In summary, this longitudinal

study determined vitamin D status during military training in females, to include interactions between vitamin D status and race. Serum 25(OH)D levels declined in white volunteers, and were lower in non-white volunteers as compared to white volunteers at all timepoints. Increases in PTH and indicators of bone turnover were observed during military training. Our findings indicate that efforts to improve the dining environment during military training should emphasize the consumption of foods containing vitamin D and calcium, as the cohort of Soldiers participating in the present study did not meet current recommended CRT0066101 ic50 intakes for either nutrient. Strengths of the study included the longitudinal design in an environment free of dietary supplements and other factors that may have affected the carefully controlled collection of dietary status and intake data. Weaknesses include the lack of functional data regarding bone health and injury outcomes Resveratrol and a lack of data quantifying

sun exposure. Future studies should determine whether the increased PTH and bone turnover observed during military training affect the vitamin D requirement, and whether vitamin D and calcium supplementation may be prudent for the prevention of injury, to include BV-6 price stress fracture. Acknowledgements We acknowledge the Soldier volunteers that participated in this study and the Command staff at Fort Jackson, SC, who provided access to potential volunteers. Research supported by the US Army Medical Research and Material Command. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense. Any citations of commercial organizations and trade names in this report do not constitute an official Department of the Army endorsement of approval of the products or services of these organizations. References 1. DeLuca HF: Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr 2004,80(Suppl):1689S-1696S.PubMed 2.