09 July 2013
A supplementation with vitamin D may support gaining muscle power and decreasing waist-to-hip ratio of overweight and obese people who perform resistance training, suggests a new US study.
In the randomized controlled trial, 23 overweight and obese people received either vitamin D (4,000 IU /day) or placebo for 12 weeks in combination in with resistance training (1). The study results showed that within four weeks the participants supplemented with vitamin D had greater muscular power than the placebo group. The elevated vitamin D status was associated with greater losses in terms of waist circumference, but with no additional benefits in lean mass accumulation, muscular strength or glucose tolerance during partici-pation in the 12 week resistance exercise training program.
The researchers commented that the greater decrease inwaist circumference associated with higher vitamin D intake may also represent a potential reduction in risks of type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, as well.
A new review concluded that there is strong evidence to support the important role that vitamin D may play in muscle cells as well as there being an association between increased blood vitamin D concentrations and improved muscle strength/function (2). Decreased outdoor activity, which contributes to increased body mass and decreased sun exposure, combined with inadequate nutrition can lead to low vitamin D status, which negatively affects musculoskeletal strength and function, both directly and indirectly. It has also been reported that people with higher levels of body fat require higher doses of vitamin D because 25(OH)D is sequestered by fat tissue.
15 May 2013
Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds, found in plants in small amounts. At present, most interest in phytochemicals is focused on carotenoids and polyphenolic flavonoids, which seem to contribute to protection against degenerative diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
1 March 2015
A new study from Finland reports that low blood vitamin D concentrations in childhood seem to increase occurrence of atherosclerosis in adulthood.
13 November 2013
According to new US research, adequate lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in the retina of the eye seem to be linked to improved reaction time and balance ability in adults.
