Vitamin D Improves Strength While Reducing Abdominal Fat

Overweight and obese adults were put on a 12-week strength training program; some of the participants received 4,000 IU of vitamin D per day.  The vitamin D group had a much better response to the exercise, significantly boosting strength within four weeks of supplementation.  By 12 weeks those with the higher vitamin D levels had a more reduced waistline.

Vitamin D adequacy is needed for optimal metabolism and body weight, although the precise mechanisms of its function are yet to be determined.  The dose of vitamin D used in this study is 10 times the paltry government recommendation for intake; this recommendation is in drastic need of revision.

When insulin resistance is occurring within muscles, as is typical in overweight individuals, muscles do not perform well or recover at a proper pace.  This means it is harder to gain strength by using them.  It is as if being overweight is self-perpetuating.  Vitamin D is showing that it can intercede in this catch-22 and help improve muscle function in response to exercise, while helping shrink your middle as well.  This would be especially important in the winter months when sun exposure is low.  Of course, many people spend too little time in the sun, or they liberally apply sunscreen, reducing their vitamin D levels even in the summer.