Vitamin d and weight loss
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The Role of Vitamin D in Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review
Vitamin D Deficiency and Obesity
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among obese individuals and those undergoing weight loss. Research indicates that obese individuals often have lower baseline levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], necessitating higher doses of vitamin D supplementation to achieve optimal levels1. This deficiency is also observed during medical or surgical weight loss interventions1.
Vitamin D Supplementation and Weight Loss Outcomes
No Direct Impact on Weight Loss
Several studies have investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss, with mixed results. A systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant effect of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss when compared to placebo3. Similarly, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving postmenopausal women showed that vitamin D3 supplementation did not significantly enhance weight loss or changes in body composition compared to placebo4.
Marginal Improvements in Vitamin D Status with Weight Loss
Weight loss itself has been associated with a marginal increase in serum 25(OH)D levels. A meta-analysis of both randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials found that weight loss interventions led to a slight increase in serum 25(OH)D compared to weight maintenance3. This suggests that the relationship between obesity and lower vitamin D levels may be due to increased adiposity leading to suboptimal vitamin D concentrations3.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Benefits
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Markers
While vitamin D supplementation does not directly influence weight loss, it has been shown to improve several cardiovascular disease risk markers. An RCT demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced blood concentrations of parathyroid hormone, triglycerides, and the inflammation marker tumor necrosis factor-alpha, independent of weight loss2. However, it also increased LDL-cholesterol concentrations2.
Metabolic Health
Vitamin D supplementation, particularly when combined with calcium, has been found to enhance the beneficial effects of weight loss on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. Studies have shown significant improvements in total:LDL and LDL:HDL ratios, as well as reductions in LDL cholesterol, when calcium and vitamin D were supplemented during weight loss interventions6 8.
Genetic Factors and Vitamin D Response
Genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D receptors (VDR) and adrenergic receptors (ADRs) can influence the response to vitamin D supplementation and weight loss outcomes. A study found that certain genetic variants were associated with greater improvements in vitamin D levels and more significant reductions in weight, BMI, and fat percentage among those receiving vitamin D supplementation5.
Conclusion
In summary, while vitamin D supplementation does not directly promote weight loss, it plays a crucial role in improving vitamin D status and offers cardiovascular and metabolic benefits during weight loss interventions. The relationship between vitamin D and weight loss is complex and influenced by genetic factors. Further research is needed to fully understand the optimal vitamin D levels and supplementation strategies for obese individuals and those undergoing weight loss.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Vitamin D supplementation in obesity and during weight loss: A review of randomized controlled trials.
Vitamin D supplementation may be needed at doses of 1600-2000 IU/day in obese individuals and after bariatric surgery to reach a 30 ng/ml concentration, but its protective effect against weight loss-induced bone loss and fractures remains unclear.
Systematic ReviewVitamin D supplementation enhances the beneficial effects of weight loss on cardiovascular disease risk markers.
Vitamin D supplementation of 83 microg/d does not negatively affect weight loss and significantly improves several cardiovascular disease risk markers in overweight subjects with inadequate vitamin D status.
RCT
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedVitamin D status and weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled weight-loss trials.
Weight loss may marginally improve vitamin D status compared to weight maintenance, potentially due to reversed causation with increased adiposity leading to suboptimal circulating vitamin D concentrations.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
Vitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss in postmenopausal women with vitamin D deficiency may support weight loss and improve obesity-related biomarkers.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin D Supplementation and Genetic Polymorphisms Impact on Weight Loss Diet Outcomes in Caucasians: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study
Oral vitamin D3 3000 IU supplementation combined with a personalized weight-loss diet improves vitamin D status and decreases obesity markers in overweight/obese Caucasians with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.
RCTSupplementation with calcium + vitamin D enhances the beneficial effect of weight loss on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.
Consumption of calcium+vitamin D during a weight-loss intervention enhanced the beneficial effect of body weight loss on the lipid and lipoprotein profile in overweight or obese women with usual low daily calcium intake.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEfficacy of vitamin D alone or in combination with weight-reduction programs in weight loss among adults with above-normal BMI: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Vitamin D supplementation may be an effective adjunct treatment for weight loss in adults with above-normal BMI, but further local RCTs are needed to confirm these results.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalCalcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation facilitated Fat loss in overweight and obese college students with very-low calcium consumption: a randomized controlled trial
Calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation for 12 weeks accelerated body fat and visceral fat loss in overweight and obese college students with very-low calcium consumption during energy restriction.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin D supplementation and calcium absorption during caloric restriction: a randomized double-blind trial.
Vitamin D supplementation increases calcium absorption and maintains calcium balance during weight loss, suggesting it is sufficient for maintaining calcium balance when calcium intake is 1.2 g/d.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalDairy calcium intake, serum vitamin D, and successful weight loss.
Higher dairy calcium intake and increased serum vitamin D levels are associated with greater diet-induced weight loss.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited