Last author of the study, Professor of Gerontology at USFCar, Tiago da Silva Alexandre explained that “Vitamin D is known to participate in various functions of the organism.”
“Actually, it’s a hormone and its many roles include helping to repair muscles and releasing calcium for muscle contraction kinetics. It was therefore expected to cause muscle alterations of some kind. That’s exactly what our study proved,” Alexandre said.
As part of the study, researchers analysed data for 3,205 non-dynapenic individuals aged 50 and over who were followed for four years by the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).
Participants’ grip strength was measured at 26 kg or more for men and 16 kg or more for women.
Researchers found that individuals with vitamin D deficiency, defined as less than 30 nanomoles per litre in the blood, had a 70 per cent greater risk of developing dynapenia by the conclusion of the four-year study period than those with normal levels of vitamin D, defined as more than 50 nmol/L.
“The results proved that the risk of muscle weakness is heightened by both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency,” Alexandre said.
Taken together, these studies highlight vitamin D’s growing reputation as a nutrient with powerful benefits for healthy ageing — from protecting our DNA to maintaining strength and independence.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.