Vitamin D Deficiency and Weight Gain Linked
Study of Young Women Links Lack of Sunshine, Vitamins and Fat
Young women who are deficient in Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, have been shown to be more prone to weight gain, short stature and fat on the abdomen, according to a new study of young women published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.The study could be important information not only for health reasons, but because the physical ideal of American beauty is to be tall and thin.
The Sunshine Vitamin Studied in Young Women
Vitamin D, also called the sunshine vitamin, is an important nutrient available in food, vitamin supplements and by getting enough sunshine. According to a new study by scientists from McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the University of Southern California; published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a deficiency in Vitamin D may cause weight gain and stunt growth in growing girls.
A study of girls in their peak growing years found that a shortage of Vitamin D caused higher body mass and shorter stature. In other words women who did not get enough Vitamin D were shorter and heavier.
Vitamin D deficiency, common in adults, is linked to diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer and obesity.While there have been previous studies on adults, the effects of Vitamin D deficiencies on young people have been largely unknown until this study.
Vitamin D is abundant in natural sunshine, but even in sun drenched Southern California, where the study was conducted, researchers reported that there was a surprising number of of young women with vitamin D insufficiency.
The young women in the study who had a Vitamin D insufficiency were significantly heavier, had a higher body mass index and had more abdominal fat than young women with normal Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D fosters growth, healthier weight
The researchers examined 90 Caucasian and Hispanic girls and discovered that young women with normal vitamin D levels were on average taller than peers deficient in vitamin D. Their investigation found no association between lack of vitamin D and bone strength, unlike what has previously been reported for older women.
"Although vitamin D is now frequently measured in older adults, due to a higher level of awareness in this population, it is rarely measured in young people - especially healthy adolescents," says Dr. Kremer.
"Clinicians need to identify vitamin D levels in younger adults who are at risk by using a simple and useful blood test....Because lack of vitamin D can cause fat accumulation and increased risk for chronic disorders later in life, further investigation is needed to determine whether vitamin D supplements could have potential benefits in the healthy development of young people." says co-author, Dr. Vicente Gilsanz, head of musculoskeletal imaging at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles of the University of Southern California.
Sources of Vitamin D
According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, Vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods. Vitamin D is manufactured by the skin when exposed to natural sunshine. Vitamin D is accessible though vitamin supplements.
Foods containing Vitamin D:
- Some fatty fish, such as mackerel, salmon and sardines.
- Fish liver oils.
- Some, but not all, dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin D supplements can often be found in good calcium supplements. The most recommended form of Vitamin D is D3, or cholecalcirerol.
Sunshine
Vitamin D is assimilated through the skin with natural sunshine. Sunscreens can block the benefits of Vitamin D, so some researchers recommend a few minutes without sunscreen. People in northern climates may need to supplement Vitamin D intake, particularly in the winter months, when sunshine is in short supply.
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