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Vitamin D pill a day may improve exercise performance and lower risk of heart disease
Nov 2015
Taking vitamin D supplements can improve exercise performance and lower the risk of heart disease, according to the findings of a preliminary study presented today at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Edinburgh.
Vitamin D, which is both a vitamin and a hormone, helps control levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and is essential for the formation of bones and teeth. Sources of Vitamin D include oily fish and eggs, but it can be difficult to get enough through diet alone. Most people generate vitamin D by exposing their skin to ultraviolet B rays in sunlight.
Previous studies suggest that vitamin D can block the action of enzyme 11-βHSD1, which is needed to make the “stress hormone” cortisol. High levels of cortisol may raise blood pressure by restricting arteries, narrowing blood vessels and stimulating the kidneys to retain water. As Vitamin D may reduce circulating levels of cortisol, it could theoretically improve exercise performance and lower cardiovascular risk factors.
In this study, researchers from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh gave 13 healthy adults matched by age and weight 50μg of vitamin D per day or a placebo over a period of two weeks.
Adults supplementing with vitamin D had lower blood pressure compared to those given a placebo, as well as having lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their urine. A fitness test found that the group taking vitamin D could cycle 6.5km in 20 minutes, compared to just 5km at the start of the experiment. Despite cycling 30% further in the same time, the group taking vitamin D supplements also showed lower signs of physical exertion.
Around ten million people in England may have low vitamin D levels. On average, one in ten adults has low levels of vitamin D in summer, compared to two in five in winter. Because people with darker skin are less efficient at using sunlight to make vitamin D, up to three out of four adults with dark skin are deficient in winter.
“Our pilot study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements can improve fitness levels and lower cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure”, said Dr Raquel Revuelta Iniesta, co-author of the study. “Our next step is to perform a larger clinical trial for a longer period of time in both healthy individuals and large groups of athletes such as cyclists or long-distance runners”.
"Vitamin D deficiency is a silent syndrome linked to insulin resistance, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a higher risk for certain cancers", said lead author of the study Dr Emad Al-Dujaili. “Our study adds to the body of evidence showing the importance of tackling this widespread problem”.
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Notes for editors
1. The study Effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors and exercise performance in healthy subjects; a randomised placebo controlled pilot study is a poster presented by Dr Raquel Revuelta Iniesta at the Society for Endocrinology’s annual conference.Please note this is a conference abstract, and this study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal
2. For press enquiries, please contact the Society for Endocrinology press office:
Omar Jamshed
Communications Executive
Tel: +44 (0)1454 642 206 (office)
Tel: +44 (0) 7876824027 (mobile)
Email: [email protected]
3. The Society for Endocrinology’s annual conference is held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from 2-4 November 2015. The conference features some of the world’s leading basic and clinical endocrinologists who present their work. Journalists wishing to attend should contact the Society for Endocrinology press office using the details above. The scientific programme is available on the conference webpage.
4. The Society for Endocrinology is a UK-based membership organisation representing a global community of scientists, clinicians and nurses who work with hormones. Together we aim to improve public health by advancing endocrine education and research, and engaging wider audiences with the science of hormones. endocrinology.org
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