A new study has shown that Vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of dynapenia in older adults by 78%, a condition characterized by age-related muscle strength loss. The study was conducted in collaboration between the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil and the University of London, and found that Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting older adults from muscle atrophy.
Researchers followed 3,205 individuals over the age of 50 for a period of 15 years. It was found that the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption by Vitamin D plays a vital role in protecting bone and muscle tissues, both mechanically and biochemically. The study indicated that those suffering from Vitamin D deficiency, defined as less than 30 nanomoles per liter in the blood, have a 78% higher risk of developing muscle atrophy after just four years of follow-up.
The results emphasize: "It is crucial to explain to people that they risk losing muscle strength if they do not get enough Vitamin D. They need to expose themselves to sunlight, consume Vitamin D-rich foods or take supplements, and engage in resistance exercises to maintain muscle strength."
