Researchers in Taiwan discovered that people who are overweight and have peptic ulcers (painful sores in the stomach) tend to have lower vitamin D levels in their blood, especially when they first develop the ulcer. The study looked at health records from over 5,000 people between 2013 and 2020. They found that vitamin D levels were noticeably lower in people with new ulcers compared to those without ulcers. Interestingly, vitamin D levels improved after people received treatment for their ulcers. This suggests that vitamin D supplements might help people with both obesity and stomach ulcers, particularly in the early stages of the disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people who are overweight with stomach ulcers have different vitamin D levels compared to overweight people without ulcers
  • Who participated: Adults aged 20 to 65 years from Taiwan who were either overweight (BMI of 27 or higher) or normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 23.9). The study used health survey data collected between 2013 and 2020.
  • Key finding: Overweight people with new stomach ulcers had vitamin D levels of 25.5 compared to 30.2 in overweight people without ulcers. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.032), meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: If you’re overweight and develop a stomach ulcer, your doctor might want to check your vitamin D levels and consider recommending supplements as part of your treatment plan. However, this finding needs confirmation from additional studies before it becomes standard medical practice.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a large group of people at one point in time and compared different groups within that snapshot. The researchers used data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT), a large health study conducted between 2013 and 2020. They selected adults aged 20 to 65 years who either had a high BMI (27 or above, indicating obesity) or a normal BMI (18.5 to 23.9). All participants completed health examinations and answered detailed questionnaires about their diet, medical history, and any stomach or digestive symptoms they experienced.

The researchers then divided the overweight participants into three groups: those without peptic ulcers, those with peptic ulcers diagnosed within the past year, and those with peptic ulcers who had been treated for more than one year. They measured vitamin D levels in the blood and compared these levels across the different groups. They also looked at other blood markers like triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) to understand the bigger picture of inflammation and metabolic health.

This research approach is important because it allows scientists to identify patterns and associations in real-world health data. By studying a large, diverse population from Taiwan’s national health survey, the findings are more likely to reflect what actually happens in the general population rather than in a controlled laboratory setting. The cross-sectional design is particularly useful for identifying which factors tend to occur together, which can then lead to more detailed studies to understand cause and effect.

This study has several strengths: it uses data from a large, nationally representative health survey, includes detailed health information and dietary data, and examines a specific population (overweight adults). However, as a cross-sectional study, it can only show associations, not prove that low vitamin D causes ulcers or vice versa. The study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The specific sample size wasn’t clearly stated in the abstract, which is a minor limitation. The findings are interesting but should be considered preliminary until confirmed by additional research.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that overweight people with newly diagnosed peptic ulcers (within one year) had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to overweight people without ulcers. Specifically, the vitamin D levels were 25.5 units in the ulcer group versus 30.2 units in the non-ulcer group. This difference of about 4.7 units was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have occurred by chance.

Another important finding was that vitamin D levels improved over time with treatment. Overweight people who had been treated for ulcers for 1 to 2 years had vitamin D levels of 27.1 units, and those treated for more than 2 years had levels of 29.8 units. This suggests that treating the ulcer may help restore vitamin D levels back toward normal.

The researchers also found that blood triglyceride levels (a marker of inflammation and metabolic stress) were significantly higher in overweight people with newly diagnosed ulcers compared to both those without ulcers and those who had been treated for more than one year. This pattern suggests that the first year after developing an ulcer is a particularly challenging time metabolically.

The improvement in vitamin D levels as ulcers were treated suggests that the ulcer itself or the inflammation it causes may be interfering with vitamin D metabolism. This is important because vitamin D plays a role in immune function and reducing inflammation, so low vitamin D could potentially make ulcers worse or slower to heal. The elevated triglyceride levels in newly diagnosed ulcer patients also suggest that the body is under significant metabolic stress during this period, which could benefit from nutritional support like vitamin D supplementation.

Previous research has shown that vitamin D deficiency is common in obese individuals and that vitamin D plays an important role in immune function and inflammation control. This study adds to that knowledge by showing a specific connection between obesity, peptic ulcers, and vitamin D status. The finding that vitamin D levels improve with ulcer treatment is new and suggests that vitamin D status could be a useful marker for monitoring ulcer recovery. However, more research is needed to determine whether low vitamin D contributes to ulcer development or is simply a consequence of having an ulcer.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a cross-sectional study, so it can only show that low vitamin D and peptic ulcers occur together—it cannot prove that one causes the other. Second, the study only included data from Taiwan, so the findings may not apply equally to other populations with different genetics, diets, or lifestyles. Third, the study didn’t measure vitamin D intake from food or supplements, so we don’t know whether the differences in blood vitamin D levels were due to differences in intake or absorption. Finally, the study didn’t investigate the mechanisms behind why vitamin D levels are lower in people with ulcers, so we can only speculate about the reasons.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, doctors may want to consider checking vitamin D levels in overweight patients who develop peptic ulcers, particularly in the first year after diagnosis. Vitamin D supplementation could be considered as an additional treatment alongside standard ulcer therapy, though more research is needed to confirm this recommendation. The evidence is moderate—this study suggests a benefit, but it’s not yet strong enough to be considered definitive. Anyone considering vitamin D supplementation should discuss it with their healthcare provider, especially if they have a peptic ulcer or are taking ulcer medications.

This research is most relevant to overweight or obese adults who have been diagnosed with peptic ulcers, particularly those in the first year after diagnosis. It may also be of interest to healthcare providers treating these patients. The findings are less directly applicable to people of normal weight or those with other digestive conditions. People with a family history of ulcers or those at risk for developing them might also find this information useful for prevention discussions with their doctors.

If vitamin D supplementation is recommended, it typically takes several weeks to months to see improvements in vitamin D blood levels. However, the benefits for ulcer healing and symptom improvement may take longer. Based on this study’s findings, people treated for ulcers showed improved vitamin D levels within 1 to 2 years, suggesting that recovery is a gradual process. Individual results will vary depending on the severity of the ulcer, the effectiveness of treatment, and how much vitamin D is supplemented.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your vitamin D supplementation daily (dose and time taken) and record any changes in digestive symptoms, energy levels, and overall well-being. If you have a peptic ulcer, note any improvements in stomach pain, bloating, or other symptoms on a scale of 1-10.
  • If your doctor recommends vitamin D supplementation for your ulcer condition, set a daily reminder to take your supplement at the same time each day (ideally with a meal containing fat, as vitamin D is fat-soluble). Also track your sun exposure, as natural sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D.
  • Over the long term, work with your healthcare provider to recheck your vitamin D blood levels every 3-6 months to ensure supplementation is working effectively. Keep a log of your ulcer symptoms and any digestive improvements alongside your vitamin D tracking to identify patterns and correlations.

This research suggests an association between vitamin D levels and peptic ulcers in overweight individuals, but it does not prove cause and effect. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have a peptic ulcer, are overweight, or are considering vitamin D supplementation, please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers require proper medical evaluation and treatment, which may include medications and lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor.