How vitamin D affects people of different body weights

January 19, 2023  23:50

American scientists have studied the mechanism of influence of vitamin D on people with different body mass index (BMI). It turned out that this substance has a more effective beneficial effect on people with a BMI below 25. The Brigham Young University researchers published their findings in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Vitamin D is essential for many biological processes in the body, including the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Part of this compound is produced in the body by sunlight, and its deficiency is treated with supplements. Evidence from previous studies has shown that vitamin D may play a role in the incidence and development of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The authors looked at the correlation of vitamin D exposure and patient weight. For this purpose, data were selected from more than 16 thousand participants from whom blood samples were taken to study the levels of total and free vitamin D, as well as its metabolites.

It turned out that the substance supplements increased most biomarkers related to vitamin D metabolism, and regardless of people's weight. However, this effect was much less pronounced in subjects with high BMI.

The scientists believe that their discovery explains the decrease in cancer mortality (by 30-40 percent), autoimmune diseases and other pathological conditions when taking vitamin D in people with lower BMI. For those with a BMI above 25, however, the effectiveness of vitamin D is minimal.

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