If you are looking to lose weight then you are in luck because there are a number of ways to do so. One of them is by using vitamin d supplements. However, there are a number of different factors that you need to consider before starting to take this particular vitamin. For example, you need to be aware of how much you need to take, as well as the dosage based on your body weight. Also, you should know about the potential side effects and the limits of this type of supplementation.
Study design
Studies have shown that increasing 25(OH)D levels improves insulin sensitivity, which results in weight loss. Despite this, there is still a need for more evidence to support the claim. Nevertheless, vitamin D deficiency is a growing public health concern. Hence, vitamin D supplementation should be studied in future RCTs.
The VITAL trial evaluated the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for weight loss and cardiovascular disease. This trial was conducted before most problems with vitamin D RCTs were recognized. It was a large and expensive study. In addition, it did not take advantage of the findings of previous studies.
To evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation, investigators gathered data on serum 25(OH)D concentrations, blood pressure, body composition and other anthropometrics. They also analyzed health care utilization. Health care utilization was measured in standardized questionnaires in 2157 participants.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with rickets and type 2 diabetes. A low serum 25(OH)D level may increase the risk of hypertension. There is an inverse correlation between the serum 25(OH)D level and cancer mortality. However, it is unclear whether vitamin D supplements can reduce cancer risk.
Based on these results, the authors suggest that the physiologic mechanism regulating the beneficial effects of vitamin D on blood pressure is modified by baseline vitamin D status. Therefore, overweight and obese patients who have hypovitaminosis D require higher doses of vitamin D.
The study also showed that obesity is a modifiable factor that changes the metabolism of vitamin D. Besides, low resting metabolic rate (RMR) is associated with a higher risk of developing significant weight gain.
Several subgroup analyses based on baseline vitamin D, weight, BMI, and follow-up duration were performed. These analyses found that weight loss was not significantly associated with a decrease in blood pressure, but improved hypotension.
The hypovitaminosis D subgroup consisted of 152 patients with 25(OH)D insufficiency. These subjects received cholecalciferol and vitamin D (100,000 IU every 2 weeks) for 12 weeks. After the trial, they were observed to lose a significant amount of weight. Their insulin sensitivity was also significantly improved.
Dosage based on body weight
If you’re wondering what is the dose of vitamin D based on body weight, the answer is simple. In general, it’s a safe and sensible daily dose of approximately 2000 IU. But you should consult your doctor to make sure it’s the right dose for you.
There are several reasons why you might need a higher dose of vitamin D. One of them is toxicity. Another reason is the fact that the recommended amount of vitD may be too low for many adults. Other factors that affect the amount of vitD your body needs include age, sun exposure, and genetic polymorphisms.
For example, a higher dose of vitD can increase the concentration of FGF-23 in your blood. This increased FGF-23 concentration can inhibit the Wnt signaling and increase sclerostin levels, both of which contribute to bone health. However, these effects aren’t yet known to be correlated with improved bone health.
In contrast, the daily dose of vitD based on body weight is not necessarily the best way to go. Instead, you might want to try monthly doses of vitD or even deferred vitD supplementation. These regimens are supposed to improve the 25-OHD blood levels. They are also suggested to improve compliance.
Compared to a fixed-dose, a vitD based on body weight was no more effective at increasing the 25OHD level. However, a vitamid of 2000 IU per day was a safe and sensible dose of vitD for the winter.
However, it’s important to remember that your body isn’t able to produce vitD by itself. You need to eat or drink a dietary source of vitD, such as dairy products, or take supplements. The best time to take vitD is in the morning, when you’re able to absorb it more efficiently. Taking a loading dose of vitD based on body mass is also a safe and sensible way to normalize your vitamin D levels.
Lastly, the dosage of vitD based on body weight should be tested out in real life, not just in a laboratory. This should be the first thing you do when deciding to take a vitD supplement.
Genetic polymorphisms
Genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D metabolism genes are important in understanding the vitamin D supplementation response in healthy individuals. The effect of genetic variations may depend on the region where the gene is located. This may be due to cultural and regional differences. Molecular genetic studies can also reveal functional polymorphisms, which can affect gene expression.
Several studies have assessed the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes related to vitamin D metabolism and susceptibility to diseases. However, there is little evidence to indicate whether these polymorphisms are associated with MS, RA, or osteoporosis.
Studies have identified several SNPs in key enzymes and proteins involved in the pathway to vitamin D metabolism. These variants may modify the activity of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) or modulate the susceptibility of a disease. Some of these variants may be responsible for the risk of MS. In a study by Usategui-Martin and colleagues, they evaluated the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the ability of vitamin D to enhance the immune system.
Using a case-control approach, the authors measured the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of pathway genes and serum vitamin D deficiency in urban and rural Bangladeshi children. A total of 52,417 participants were studied. Most of the participants were 12 to 24 months old. They were categorized into three groups. Anthropometric status, dietary intake, and exposure to sunlight were evaluated.
The results indicated that there was an association between multiple SNPs in the GC and CYP27B1 genes and lower calcidiol levels. CYP27B1 has been shown to modulate the phenotype of vitamin D deficiency. Similarly, a CC genotype had a negative impact on mRNA production.
Despite the findings, researchers do not know what causes this association. Some possible factors include age, gender, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking.
The study did not measure the UV index, which may be important in the modulation of VDRs. However, the results suggest that the FF allele has a potential to be associated with increased VDR activity and a decreased risk of certain bone fractures.
Limitations
As we have learned from previous studies, the limitations of vitamin D for weight loss and fat reduction are numerous. These limitations include not changing subcutaneous fat or visceral fat, not changing insulin resistance, and not changing several inflammatory markers. Vitamin D supplements have not been shown to change CRP, IL-6, intramyocellular lipids, body or subcutaneous fat, or fatty liver.
There have been many recent interventional trials, but they have not been able to provide conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of supplemental vitamin D. In fact, they have been criticized for being biased due to study design and methodological issues. Many of these recent trials did not include sufficient sample sizes or populations deficient in vitamin D. However, an ongoing long-term RCT is being conducted that will provide important causality.
