A recent research links weight loss to Vitamin D and seems to show a significant co-relation between the two. For the longest time I have heard people say get your Vitamin D from the sun; it is good for your bones. But then rarely has anyone linked Vitamin D and spending time under the sun with weight loss! Interested in knowing further details…then read on…

The Vitamin D Study

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota shows that Vitamin D plays a significant role in weight loss and people with inadequate Vitamin D might have an impaired mechanism when it comes to losing weight even with a low calorie diet. Vitamin D is manufactured by body from cholesterol and is linked to leptin resistance. It is still unclear if vitamin deficiency causes obesity or vice versa. More research in this area is needed. It is said that the baseline levels of Vitamin D predicted fat loss in the abdominal area. Some studies have find a co-relation between treatment of conditions such as diabetes, glucose intolerance, high BP, cardiovascular problems, cancer, breast and prostate cancer too.

Lead author of the study Shalamar Sibley, MD, MPH from University of Minnesota presented his study results at the Endocrine Society’s 91^st Annual meeting in DC. They observed that the ‘circulating levels of Vitamin D in 38 overweight men and women before and after the subjects followed a diet plan for 11 weeks consisting of 750 calories a day fewer than their estimated needs.’ Bone densitometry scans were also done. In common terms, this means the several subjects had low Vitamin D levels and that addition of Vitamin D to a reduced calorie diet will lead to better weight loss. Since the number of candidates for the studies are not adequate more studies need to done.

Vitamin D can be obtained from the sun primarily. In addition, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna; cheese, egg yolk, milk, cereal, margarine, yogurt, and bread also carry Vitamin D. Another study that was published also stated that 75% or more Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. Even more reason to go out and soak up the sun especially if you are also on a weight loss program.

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