Is Vitamin D Deficiency A Possible Cause Of Overweight And Obesity?

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, is in reality a hormone that performs a plethora of functions in the human body. Vitamin D, also known as 1, 25- dihydroxy vitamin D, is commonly known for its functions involving calcium and phosphorous metabolism and thereby maintaining bone health and preventing associated disorders such as osteoporosis.

For decades, the scientific community has viewed vitamin D as a promising nutrient offering countless health benefits. It is abundantly clear via numerous scientific trials that vitamin D is undoubtedly a crucial nutrient for optimal health, given the fact that over 500 genes have been identified with some form of vitamin D response elements in them. Hence, it could be expected that a deficiency of this fat-soluble nutrient would result in a gamut of health issues.

We acquire most of our vitamin D through sun exposure, though small amounts of the nutrient come from our diets and/or supplementation. Recently the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released vitamin D intake guidelines, however these guidelines only relate to bone health and calcium metabolism. Scientific evidence has shown that vitamin D plays an active role in both the treatment and prevention of obesity and chronic disorders associated with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). Therefore, it is required for more than just the regulation of bone health.

Vitamin D And Obesity

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic affecting both adults and children. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that obesity is no longer just affecting developed nations, but in fact, it is widely spreading across the globe. Being overweight and/or obese predisposes individuals to many inflammatory and chronic health disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cancers, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and CVD.

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The scientific community has consistently suggested that vitamin D deficiency has been observed in overweight and obese populations. There a number of clinical studies stating that there may be an association between increasing BMIs and vitamin D deficiency. While there are many plausible explanations for such an association between vitamin D deficiency and obesity, some that have been evaluated in the recent past include the following:

• Low dietary intake,
• Reduced synthesis of the active form of vitamin D in obese individuals,
• Altered metabolism,
• Altered absorption, and
• Reduced capacity for synthesis of the vitamin within the body.

While there are numerous clinical ongoing efforts to understand the many associations between vitamin D status and obesity, it is still unclear if vitamin D deficiency leads to obesity or if in fact, gaining weight results in a deficiency of vitamin D. Irrespectively, studies have shown that vitamin D plays a very beneficial role in the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Vitamin D And Obesity Connection

Obesity is essentially a chronic inflammation that disrupts the immune system resulting in other health disorders. Vitamin D on the other hand enhances the immune system and helps decrease inflammation, so, therefore, in those with higher BMIs a deficiency of vitamin D further enhances inflammation causing additional health concerns.

Another theory linking the two is the fact that in obese individuals, a low concentration of vitamin D may affect the appetite hormones and their signals via the brain resulting in increased hunger and fat storage, thus, making weight loss a challenging pursuit. Another explanation provided by clinical studies is the possibility of reduced availability of vitamin D in obese individuals due to increased adiposity or fat stores rendering vitamin D unavailable since it is a fat soluble nutrient.

Therefore, it is safe to assume that body composition appears to impact vitamin D synthesis and body metabolism resulting in difficulty losing weight and a greater predisposition to chronic health conditions.

Can Vitamin D Consumption Help Treat And Prevent Obesity?

Vitamin D, specifically the active form D₃, seems to be deficient in individuals with higher percentages of body fat. In a recent study, after analyzing data of more than 10,000 patients, University of Kansas researchers found that those patients who were deficient in vitamin D had a significantly higher risk for obesity and a variety of heart diseases. Furthermore, after taking into account the patients' medical history, medications and other factors, they concluded that people with deficient levels of vitamin D were:

• More than twice as likely to have diabetes,
• 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, and
• About 30 percent more likely to suffer from a diseased heart muscle as compared to people without the deficiency.

Overall, the risk of death from these causes was heightened in those presenting with vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, given that vitamin D is a crucial piece in the puzzle of obesity, one may wonder if supplementing or adding vitamin D rich dietary sources may be able to correct the deficiency thus helping such individuals to lose excess weight efficiently.

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In a recent study, researchers from University of Milan suggested that when overweight and obese individuals were provided vitamin D supplements and a reduced caloric diet, it appeared that with the help of vitamin D, these individuals were able to lose weight successfully. It is imperative to understand how much vitamin D is required to achieve such positive results, the key factor to remember is that it is essential to have individualized records examined by your respective health professionals; however, it is recommended that most average individuals require 600 IU (15mcg)/day. Please note, this recommendation is generalized and it is advised that any recommendations be followed only under supervision of a health professional.

Adding foods such as mushrooms, low fat dairy, fortified grains, fish like tuna and mackerel, soy, fortified orange juice, and egg yolks to the diet can help elevate vitamin D levels safely.