Research shows that vitamin D is crucial for the skeletal health because it helps the body absorb calcium for the diet. New evidence indicates that vitamin D may also affect the immune and cardiovascular systems. In fact, some studies have associated low vitamin D levels with neuromuscular disease, cancer and obesity. Not enough vitamin D could mean a person develops osteoporosis and potential bone fractures. The sunshine vitamin could also affect one’s body weight.

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Vitamin D is an important micronutrient with major health benefits, including improved immunity and stronger bones.

There is also mounting evidence that it could help a person to lose weight.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that a person gets from vitamin D-rich foods or supplements.

Those most at risk of a deficiency include older adults, breastfed infants and those with limited sun exposure.

Obesity is another risk factor for deficiency. Interestingly, some evidence suggests that getting enough vitamin D could help with weight loss.

Studies show that a higher boy mass index and body fat percentage are associated with lower blood levels of vitamin D.

In a study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the relationship between obesity and vitamin D concentrations was investigated.

The study noted: “To test the hypothesis that obesity is commonly associated with vitamin D deficiencies, we examined the relationships between hormones and body adiposity in a large cohort of healthy adults.”

The study concluded there was a link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity. 

Some evidence suggests that getting enough vitamin D could enhance weight loss and decrease body fat.

One study looked at 218 overweight and obese women over a one-year period. All were put on a calorie-restricted diet and exercise routine.

Half of the women received a vitamin D supplement, while the others received a placebo.

At the end of the study, researchers found that women who fulfilled their vitamin D intake experienced more weight loss, losing an average of seven pounds more than the women on the placebo.

Its been reported that vitamin D could potentially reduce the formation of new fat cells in the body.

It could also suppress the storage of fat cells, effecting reducing fat accumulation.

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How vitamin D deficiency could affect obesity

Several different theories speculate about the relationship between low vitamin D levels and obesity.

Some claim that obese people tend to consume fewer vitamin D-rich foods, thus explaining the association.

Others point to behavioural differences, noting that obese individuals tend to expose less skin and may not be absorbing as much vitamin D from the sun.

Furthermore, certain enzymes are needed to convert vitamin D into its active form and levels of these enzymes may differ between obese and non-obese individuals.

In another study with the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health the study noted that once vitamin D levels in obese individuals are adjusted for body size, there’s no difference between levels in obese and non-obese individuals.

This indicates that your vitamin D needs depend on bad size, meaning obese individuals need more than normal-weight people to reach the same blood levels, explaining why obese people are more likely to be deficient.

It’s recommended that adults 19-70 years old should get at least 600 IU of vitamin D per day to potentially help a person on their weight loss journal.

Getting enough vitamin D can keep the hormone levels in check and may help enhance weight loss and decrease body fat.

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