Almost every number on the Science page comes from another country. Georgia has no published, population-representative data on vitamin D status, omega-3 intake or vitamin B12 in older adults. The Public Health Institute of Georgia intends to change that — openly, with results published in the Georgian Medical Journal whether or not they favour any product. This page lets residents of Georgia register their interest in taking part.
Why a Georgian cohort
Deficiency prevalence depends on latitude, diet, skin, season and habits. A Finnish or American figure does not describe Tbilisi, Batumi or Telavi. Without local data, clinicians extrapolate and companies — including ours — cite foreign studies. The only remedy is to measure.
Registered studies
| Study | Measurement | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D prevalence in Georgia | Serum 25(OH)D, stratified by season, age, region | In preparation |
| Omega-3 intake in Georgia | Dietary EPA + DHA assessment in adults | In preparation |
| Vitamin B12 in Georgians 60+ | Serum B12 and methylmalonic acid; metformin and PPI users | Planned |
| Antioxidant status | Plasma tocopherol and carotenoids | Under consideration |
| CoQ10 and cardiovascular risk | Population CoQ10 levels | Under consideration |
The same register appears on the Science page.
Governance
Each study is submitted for ethics approval before recruitment; protocols are pre-registered; participants give written informed consent; samples are analysed by accredited laboratories; results are published open access with de-identified data. Funding and any Sheni Labs contribution are declared in each publication. Participation is free, voluntary and entirely independent of buying or using any product; no product is given to participants.
What registering means
You are telling PHIG that you may be interested. When recruitment opens in your region you will receive one message with the study information sheet; you decide then. You can withdraw your interest at any time by emailing info@accreditation.ge.
PHIG Georgia cohort — register your interest
The Public Health Institute of Georgia is preparing population studies of vitamin D, omega-3 and vitamin B12 status in Georgia (see the research register on the Science page). Registering your interest does not enrol you in a study; it allows PHIG to contact you when recruitment opens in your region. Participation is voluntary, ethics-approved, and independent of any purchase.
