A study has found that elderly individuals who supplement with sufficient amounts of vitamin D can prevent sarcopenia, similar to the effects of exercising.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency noted that research confirming the effectiveness of vitamin D in improving sarcopenia in old age has been published in the latest issue of the international journal Life Sciences. Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the abnormal loss of muscle mass, strength, and function as one ages. It can lead to functional impairments and age-related diseases such as diabetes and metabolic disorders.
The research team compared the effects of administering vitamin D to young mice, aged 3 months old, and older mice, aged 18 months, over a period of 4 months. While the older mice not given vitamin D exhibited significantly low blood levels of vitamin D and showed signs of sarcopenia, the older mice receiving vitamin D maintained normal muscle mass and strength.
Regular exercise is effective for preventing and treating sarcopenia. Exercise promotes the secretion of the muscle hormone myokine, which not only improves muscle function but also affects the regulation of metabolism and inflammation in organs such as the brain, liver, and fat. Myokine levels, particularly apelin (a peptide consisting of 77 amino acids), and its receptor drastically decrease with age.
The research team confirmed that vitamin D increases the blood concentration of apelin and receptor expression. This results in the alleviation of cellular aging in muscle tissue and an increase in muscle protein synthesis, leading to a preventive effect against muscle loss. The research team explained that the improvement in muscle function due to vitamin D was found to be at a level similar to that seen with exercise.
Blood levels of vitamin D below 10 nanograms (ng)/mL indicate severe deficiency, while levels between 10 to 24 ng/mL signify lack, and those between 25 to 80 ng/mL are considered adequate. In South Korea, sarcopenia was officially classified as a disease in 2021, but there is still no definitive treatment. The research team suggested vitamin D supplementation as a preventive measure against sarcopenia.
Park Hyun-young, director of the National Health Research Institute, said, 'This is a significant study that directly clarifies the prevention of sarcopenia through vitamin D intake in old age,' adding, 'Sufficient vitamin D intake can help prevent sarcopenia and enhance healthy lifespan.'
Meanwhile, vitamin D is naturally synthesized when the skin is exposed to sunlight. The use of sunscreen can reduce the production of vitamin D. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, mackerel, liver, egg yolks, milk, and yogurt.
Reference materials
Life Sciences (2024), DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123205