REDUCTION OF ABDOMINAL FAT
Researchers at the University of Minnesota were able to accurately predict the rate of abdominal fat loss among participants in a weight-loss program based on the vitamin D status of the dieters. Those with high vitamin D levels lost more fat in the abdominal area. A study at the McGill University in Canada expanded on this result by showing that women with high vitamin D levels have up to 80% less belly fat than those with low levels of the vitamin. (1, 2)
MOOD ELEVATION
A lack of vitamin D has been directly implicated in mood and neurologic disorders. One such study measured both cognitive performance and mild Alzheimer’s disease. (3)
COGNITIVE IMPROVEMENT
There has been direct correlation between mental function and the body’s vitamin D status. In a recent study, those with higher levels of the vitamin scored significantly better on a mental function test. (4)
PAIN RELIEF
In a study involving patients with chronic back pain with healthy controls showed that those individuals with the highest levels of vitamin D had no or little back pain. (5)
BONE STRENGTH
Vitamin D is essential for calcium to be deposited into bone. Numerous studies have confirmed that high levels of vitamin D translates into stronger bones and prevents osteoporosis and other symptoms of bone loss. (6)
IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT
It has long been known that high levels of vitamin D provides a “relative cancer immunity”. Vitamin D has now been linked to the production of immune T-cells. The vitamin also prevents inflammation and stimulates anti-microbial peptides in the body. (7, 8)
NORMALIZATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE
High levels of vitamin D have been correlated to a normal blood pressure and a reduced risk for the development of hypertension (9, 10, 11)
SUGAR TOLERANCE
Vitamin D is essential for normal insulin secretion. Research is now pointing to the fact that insufficient vitamin D levels may have an adverse effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes. (12, 13, 14)
EYE HEALTH
New research has linked low levels of vitamin D to the early development of macular degeneration. This eye disease results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field. It is a major cause of visual impairment in older individuals. (15)
References
1. Kremer R, Campbell PP, Reinhardt T, Gilsanz V.: Vitamin D status and its relationship to body fat, final height, and peak bone mass in young women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jan;94(1):67-73. Epub 2008 Nov 4.
2. Sibley, SD: Plasma vitamin D predicted weight loss in obese individuals, Endocrine Today, 6/12/2009)
3. Wilkins CH, Sheline YI, Roe CM, Birge SJ, Morris JC. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood and worse cognitive performance in
older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;14(12):1032-40.
4. Przybelski RJ, Binkley NC. Is Vitamin D important for preserving cognition? A positive correlation of serum 25-hydroxyVitamin D concentration with cognitive function. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2007 Apr 15;460(2):202-5.
5. Lotfi A, Abdel-Nasser AM, Hamdy A, Omran AA, El-Rehany MA. HypoVitaminosis D in female patients with chronic low back pain. Clin
Rheumatol. 2007 Mar 22.
6. Pérez-López FR. Vitamin D and its implications for musculoskeletal health in women: An update. Maturitas. 2007 Jun 28.
7. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemic influenza and Vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40.
8. Kurylowicz A, Bednarczuk T, Nauman J. [The influence of Vitamin D deficiency on cancers and autoimmune diseases development.] [Article in Polish] Endokrynol Pol. 2007;58(2):140-152.
9. Sheng H-W. Sodium, chloride and potassium. In: Stipanuk M, ed. Biochemical and Physiological Aspects of Human Nutrition. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company; 2000:686-710.
10. Sigmund CD. Regulation of renin expression and blood pressure by vitamin D(3). J Clin Invest. 2002;110(2):155-156.
11. Li YC, Kong J, Wei M, Chen ZF, Liu SQ, Cao LP. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) is a negative endocrine regulator of the renin-angiotensin system. J Clin Invest. 2002;110(2):229-238.
12. Borissova AM, Tankova T, Kirilov G, Dakovska L, Kovacheva R. The effect of vitamin D3 on insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Clin Pract. 2003;57(4):258-261. (PubMed)
13. Orwoll E, Riddle M, Prince M. Effects of vitamin D on insulin and glucagon secretion in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59(5):1083-1087. (PubMed)
14. Inomata S, Kadowaki S, Yamatani T, Fukase M, Fujita T. Effect of 1 alpha (OH)-vitamin D3 on insulin secretion in diabetes mellitus. Bone Miner. 1986;1(3):187-192. (PubMed)
15. Parekh N, Chappell RJ, Millen AE, Albert DM, Mares JA. Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994. Arch Ophthalmol. May 2007;125: 661-669.
