Women with a significant lean mass, and therefore a developed musculature, would have high concentrations of vitamin D.
The list of benefits of vitamin D is growing. Essential for bone growth and effective in preventing cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections or cognitive decline, it would also optimize muscle building, according to one british study published in Plos One.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have investigated the link between vitamin D and muscle mass because deficiencies in this substance, common in seniors, would be associated with muscle loss. A phenomenon little explained in the scientific literature. English scientists therefore sought to see more clearly.
To get there, they studied 116 healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 74. They measured blood levels of vitamin D in both inactive and active form (after metabolism in the kidney). In parallel, they assessed the fat mass (tissues under the skin and around organs) and lean mass (body water, organs and muscles) of the participants to determine their muscle mass. Lean mass is one of the most important compartments of the body because it governs almost all of the metabolisms essential for its proper functioning. It makes up about 70% of the body’s weight.
Only for women
The study shows that women with a healthy body composition, with little body fat, did not have high concentrations of inactive vitamin D, a marker of vitamin D deficiency. In contrast, women with a significant body fat, were deficient. For the authors, these results show that there is a relationship between body composition and inactive vitamin D.
The study suggests, however, that the active form of this substance does not influence the level of body fat, but acts on the fat mass, including the muscles. Indeed, women with significant lean mass, and therefore well-developed musculature, had high levels of active vitamin D. This positive association would not have been observed in men, specify the authors.
Understanding these male-female differences
“By studying the different forms of this vitamin, we can say that these relationships are much more complex than we thought,” says Dr. Hassan Smith. It is possible that fat mass is linked to high levels of the inactive vitamin, while lean mass plays a key role in vitamin D metabolism and increases levels of the active form. It is vital that we better understand these processes, and the mechanisms involved, to be able to supplement patients in order to improve their muscle strength ”.
In future work, researchers will try to identify the biological differences between men and women able to explain their results, and will conduct laboratory experiments.
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