Sarcopenia (muscle loss) fought by Vitamin D, exercise and protein - many studies

To gain muscle, many studies have found that you need some of the following:
Exercise - just even walking (Intermittent high intensity exercise is much better)
Vitamin D - at least 800 IU/day,
    Loading dose will show improvements in weeks instead of 4+ months
Protein - perhaps 1gm/kg/day in a form appropriate for existing stomach acid
Calcium - 300 mg?
Omega-3
Includes the following studies:

• Muscle loss with aging (Sarcopenia) is 7.7 X more likely if Vitamin D deficient – July 2023
• Every trial found Scopenia to be associated with low vitamin D - Meta-analysis 2018
• Sarcopenia 1.6X more likely if you have a poor VDR – Nov 2020

See also Bone Health   reduce falls and fractures   Frailty and Vitamin D - many studies   Overview Muscles and Vitamin D

Sarcopenia not helped by vitamin D (no exercise was given) - meta-analysis March 2024

Vitamin D does not force muscles to grow, Vitamin D only allows them to grow
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Muscle loss with aging (Sarcopenia) is 7.7 X more likely if Vitamin D deficient – July 2023

Relationship of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels With Sarcopenia and Body Composition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Paired Case-Control Study
J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2020; 21: 300-307.e2, 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2023.06.004 PDF is behind a $28 paywall
Chan Yang, MPH, Yanyan Dai, MPH, Zetian Li, BS, Yating Peng, BS. Liangchuan Zhang, MB. Hong Jia, MD (China)

Objective
Sarcopenia is a leading health problem among older adults. However, few studies have explored the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, sarcopenia, and body composition in older Chinese individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels with sarcopenia, sarcopenia indices, and body composition in community-dwelling older Chinese adults.

Design: Paired case-control study.

Setting and Participants: This case-control study enrolled 66 older adults newly diagnosed with sarcopenia (sarcopenia group) and 66 older adults without sarcopenia (non-sarcopenia group) after screening in the community.

Methods
The definition of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Spearman's correlation was used to examine the correlations among sarcopenia indices, body composition, and serum 25(OH)D.

Results
Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group 29.08 ± 15.11 ng/mL) than in the non-sarcopenia group (36.28 ± 14.68 ng/mL) (P < .05).
Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia OR, 7.749; 95% CI, 1.955–30.714).
Serum 25(OH)D levels in men were positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (r = 0.450; P < .001) and negatively correlated with gait speed (r = −0.282; P = .032). Serum 25(OH)D levels in women were positively correlated with SMI (r = 0.286; P < .001), skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.395; P < .001), and fat-free mass (r = 0.412; P < .001).

Conclusions and Implications
Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in older adults with sarcopenia than those in adults without sarcopenia. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of sarcopenia, and serum 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with SMI.

Reference titles – full references are online

1. Sarcopenia
2. Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia: 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment.
3. sarcopenia during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions: long-term health effects of short-term muscle loss.
4. Malnutrition in relation to muscle mass, muscle quality, and muscle strength in hospitalized older adults.
5. Crucial role of vitamin D in the musculoskeletal system.
6. Vitamin D deficiency in older patients-problems of sarcopenia, drug interactions, management in deficiency.
7. The vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis in muscle atrophy and sarcopenia.
8. Vitamin D, skeletal muscle function and athletic performance in athletes-A narrative review.
9. Preserved lower limb muscle mass prevents insulin resistance development in nondiabetic older adults.
10. Mechanisms of vitamin D on skeletal muscle function: oxidative stress, energy metabolism and anabolic state.
11. Longitudinal associations between vitamin D metabolites and sarcopenia in older australian men: The concord health and aging in men project.
12. Sufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and protein intake required to increase muscle mass in sarcopenic older adults—the PROVIDE study.
13. Vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia in older persons.
14. Association of serum vitamin D with osteosarcopenic obesity: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010.
15. Age-dependent changes in physical performance and body composition in community-dwelling Japanese older adults.
16. A positive association of vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia in 50 year old women, but not men.
17. Relationship between serum vitamin D level and sarcopenia in chronic liver disease.
18. Is vitamin D a determinant of muscle mass and strength?.
19. Comparison of the diagnostic value of SARC-F and its three modified versions for screening sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.
20. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline.
21. The prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese older adults: Meta-analysis and meta-regression.
22. The prevalence of sarcopenia and related factors in a community-dwelling elders Thai population.
23. Causal linkage of tobacco smoking with ageing: Mendelian randomization analysis towards telomere attrition and sarcopenia.
24. Vitamin D and sarcopenia: Potential of vitamin D supplementation in sarcopenia prevention and treatment.
25. Can vitamin D deficiency influence muscle performance in postmenopausal women? A multicenter retrospective study.
26. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired muscle strength and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults: Findings from The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
27. The Relationship between sarcopenia and vitamin D levels in adults of different ethnicities: Findings from the West China Health and Aging Trend Study.
28. Vitamin D in relation to incident sarcopenia and changes in muscle parameters among older adults: The KORA-Age Study.
29. The association between blood concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and sarcopenia: A meta-analysis.
30. Relationships between 25(OH)D concentration, sarcopenia and HOMA-IR in postmenopausal Korean women.
31. Relation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status with skeletal muscle mass by sex and age group among Korean adults.
32. Relation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status with skeletal muscle mass and grip strength in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
33. Low serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels are related to frailty and sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver disease.
34. Serum vitamin D status inversely associates with a prevalence of severe sarcopenia among female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
35. Associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with physical performance and bone health in overweight and obese older adults.
36. Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and adiposity measurements in the general Korean population.
37. Association of serum vitamin D with change in weight and total body fat in a German cohort of older adults.
38. High body fat percentage and low consumption of dairy products were associated with vitamin D inadequacy among older women in Malaysia.
39. Non-musculoskeletal benefits of vitamin D.
40. The emerging biomolecular role of vitamin D in skeletal muscle.
41. Contribution of muscle satellite cells to sarcopenia.
42. The biological activities of vitamin D and its receptor in relation to calcium and bone homeostasis, cancer, immune and cardiovascular systems, skin biology, and oral health.
43. Age-associated loss of OPA1 in muscle impacts muscle mass, metabolic homeostasis, systemic inflammation, and epithelial senescence.
44. Muscle mass, muscle morphology and bone health among community-dwelling older men: Findings from the Hertfordshire sarcopenia Study (HSS).
45. Vitamin D deficiency 2.0: an update on the current status worldwide.
46. Roles of nutrition in muscle health of community-dwelling older adults: evidence-based expert consensus from Asian Working Group for sarcopenia.
47. The optimal strategy of vitamin D for sarcopenia: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
48. Screening for sarcopenia among elderly Arab females: Influence of body composition, lifestyle, irisin, and vitamin D.
49. Longitudinal associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, physical activity, and knee pain and dysfunction with muscle loss in community-dwelling older adults.

Sarcopenia meta-analysis (most gave too little Vitamin D to make a difference) March 2022

Effect of vitamin D monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle . 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12976
Konstantinos Prokopidis 1 2, Panagiotis Giannos 2 3, Konstantinos Katsikas Triantafyllidis 2 4, Konstantinos S Kechagias 2 5, Jakub Mesinovic 6 7, Oliver C Witard 8, David Scott 6 7

Most trials used small doses

Summary image from examine.com

Background: Vitamin D supplementation is proposed as a potentially effective nutritional intervention to mitigate the risk of sarcopenia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared the effect of vitamin D supplementation (as monotherapy) with placebo on indices of sarcopenia in older (>50 years) adults. Using the random effects inverse-variance model, we calculated the mean difference (MD) in handgrip strength (HGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed up and go (TUG), and appendicular lean mass (ALM) between groups. We also calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) in general muscle strength and general physical performance (composite plot of all muscle strength and physical performance outcomes, respectively) between groups.

Results: Ten RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. A significant decrease in SPPB scores was observed with vitamin D supplementation compared with placebo (MD: -0.23; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.06; I2 = 0%; P = 0.007). Vitamin D supplementation conferred no effect on HGS (MD: -0.07 kg; 95% CI -0.70 to 0.55; I2 = 51%, P = 0.82), TUG (MD: 0.07 s; 95% CI -0.08 to 0.22; I2 = 0%, P = 0.35), ALM (MD: 0.06 kg/m2 ; 95% CI: -0.32 to 0.44; I2 = 73%, P = 0.77), general muscle strength (SMD: -0.01; 95% CI -0.17 to 0.15; I2 = 42%, P = 0.90), or general physical performance (SMD: -0.02; 95% CI -0.23 to 0.18; I2 = 71%, P = 0.83).

Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation did not improve any sarcopenia indices in community-dwelling older adults and may compromise some aspects of physical performance. Future studies are warranted to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on individual indices of SPPB, including mobility and balance, in older adults.
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Vitamin D Deficiency and Sarcopenia in Older Persons - Nov 2019

Nutrients. 2019 Dec; 11(12): 2861 doi: 10.3390/nu11122861
Francesca Remelli, Aurora Vitali, Amedeo Zurlo, and Stefano Volpato*

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Vitamin D deficiency is a common health problem worldwide, in particular among older people. Vitamin D regulates and modulates the physiology and function of multiple human systems, including the skeletal muscle. The effect of vitamin D on the muscle has been widely investigated, suggesting that this hormone can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle fibers, maintaining and improving muscle strength and physical performance. Older persons have a higher prevalence of low Vitamin D levels as a consequence of low dietary intake and reduced ultraviolet irradiation of the skin. Therefore, older people with vitamin D deficiency might be at risk of sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength often complicated by adverse events, such as falls, disability hospitalization and death. Several randomized clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation in older patients to prevent or treat sarcopenia, but results are still controversial. In this narrative review we summarize the biological, clinical and epidemiological evidence supporting the hypothesis of a causal association between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of sarcopenia in older people.
- - - - - -
RCTs considered generally shared one or more of the following problems

1. Too short of time
2. Too low of dose (often just 800 IU)
3. No exercise (provide the body a reason to increase muscle)
4. No protein needed to build muscle (In addition to Vitamin D

Sarcopenia 1.8X more likely if low vitamin D (Chinese males) June 2021

The Relationship between Sarcopenia and Vitamin D Levels in Adults of Different Ethnicities: Findings from the West China Health and Aging Trend Study
The journal of nutrition, health & aging Published: 03 June 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-021-1645-z
S. Luo, X. Chen, L. Hou, J. Yue, X. Liu, Y. Wang, X. Xia & Birong Dong

Objectives
Sarcopenia is a condition associated with progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function resulting in substantial negative health outcomes and disability in older adults. It is thus important that sarcopenia-related risk factors be explored. The present study was based upon the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS2019) criteria to assess whether vitamin D levels are a risk factor associated with sarcopenia in various ethnic groups in western China.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Communities in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Xinjiang provinces.

Participants: We included 4236 individuals that were 50 years of age or older from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study.

Measurements
An InBody 770 instrument was used for bioimpedance-based analyses of muscle mass, while a digital grip strength dynamometer was used for handgrip strength-based measurements of muscle strength. Physical performance was assessed based upon gait speed over 4 m. Other secondary variables were additionally analyzed as potentially relevant risk factors.

Results
Sarcopenia affected an estimated 22.45% of studied individuals who were 50 years of age or older, with respective prevalence rates in the < 60, 60–64, 65–79, and ≥80 age groups of 11.78%, 19.44%, 32.65%, and 67.97%.

Rates in males and females were 26.66% and 20.05%, respectively. In males, a significant difference in vitamin D levels was detected when comparing individuals with and without sarcopenia, although no such relationship was detected in females. Following adjustment for confounding variables, binary logistic regression analyses revealed that inadequate vitamin D was able to independently predict sarcopenia risk only in males (OR=1.875,95%CI: 1.109–3.169, P=0.019).

Conclusions
Among middle-aged and older adults of multiple ethnicities in western China, we found that inadequate vitamin D was an independent predictor of sarcopenia risk specifically in males.

Every trial found Scopenia to be associated with low vitamin D - Meta-analysis 2018

The association between blood concentration of 25- hydroxyvitamin D and sarcopenia: a meta-analysis.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2018;27(6):1258-1270. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.201811_27(6).0013.
Luo J1, Quan Z2, Lin S1, Cui L3.
1 Department of Public Health, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
2 Medical School of Yanbian University, Yanji City, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin, China.
3 Department of Public Health, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. qdlhcui at 163.com.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Associations between blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and sarcopenia remain controversial; thus, this meta-analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between blood 25(OH)D concentration and sarcopenia.

DESIGN:
We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for relevant published observational studies that investigated blood 25(OH)D concentration and sarcopenia up to June 2017.We then investigated data from these studies that compared blood 25(OH)D concentrations between the sarcopenia and healthy control groups. A random-effect model was used to calculate the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of blood 25(OH)D concentration with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS:
Twelve studies (eight cross-sectional, two matched case-control, and two prospective cohort studies) with a total of 22,590 individuals were included. Sarcopenic individuals had lower blood 25(OH)D concentrations than healthy controls (WMD=-2.14, 95% CI: -2.81- - 1.48; I2=74.6%). Subgroup analysis showed that the methods of assessing both blood 25(OH)D concentrations and sarcopenia might be sources of heterogeneity, and further showed that studies excluding obese individuals and different sarcopenia assessment criteria enhanced the relationship. Sensitivity analysis by one-study-removed confirmed the robustness of these results.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our study shows that sarcopenic adults have lower blood 25(OH)D concentrations. Further high-quality large-scale prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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43+ Vitamin D Life senior pages have STRENGTH, MUSCLE, GRIP or SARCOPENIA in title

Sarcopenia = age-related loss of muscle mass
This list is automatically updated

Do you have Sarcopenia?: a quick questionaire - 2013

SARC-F: A Simple Questionnaire to Rapidly Diagnose Sarcopenia
You have Sarcopenia if your total is > 4

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See also Vitamin D Life

• Overview Muscles and Vitamin D
• Osteosarcopenic obesity (obese with low bone and muscle mass) twice as likely if low vitamin D – Oct 2016
• NASA thinks spacestation personnel only need 800 IU of vitamin D – Sept 2012 Loss of muscle strength while in space
• Adding just a little vitamin D does not help (muscle mass in this case) – meta-analysis Jan 2021
• Low Vitamin D breaks down muscle by interferring with protein - Editorial Nov 2013
• Resistance exercise combined with Vitamin D is great for seniors – meta-analysis July 2017
• Muscle strength of senior women increased 25 percent with vitamin D, decreased 6 percent with placebo – Oct 2016
• Muscular Dystrophies – low vitamin D might be associated with all 9 types – Aug 2018
• Sarcopenia: Nutrition and physical activity – systematic review – Jan 2017 has the following summary
  37 Randomized Controlled Trials of healthy seniors (those not already having Sarcopenia)
  Exercise helped in every trial
  Creatine was good too
  Protein did not help - but they failed to look at stomach acid being able to digest the protein
  400 IU of vitamin D did NOT help (need at least 800 IU after a Vitamin D loading dose)

Sarcopenia statistics - 2014

Sample statistics from http://sarcopeniacure.com/statistics/ Note- protein and vitamin D are among their cures

• >50 % loss of muscle mass by 90 years
• Healthcare expenditures due to sarcopenia cost roughly $900 per person per year
• In the United States, an estimated 53 % of men and 43 % of women over 80 are sarcopenic.
• People who are physically inactive can lose as much as 3 to 5 % of their muscle mass per decade after age 30

Added 1 lb of muscle mass with just 800 IU Vitamin D - RCT 2017

Added 1 lb of muscle to sarcopenia adults in 13 weeks with just 800 IU vitamin D and protein – RCT Jan 2017

Pedometer + reminder to increase steps 10%/month - RCT with Vitamin D - Aug 2015

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2015 Aug 1;16(8):654-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.02.017. Epub 2015 Apr 7.
Mail-Based Intervention for Sarcopenia Prevention Increased Anabolic Hormone and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults: The INE (Intervention by Nutrition and Exercise) Study.
Yamada M1, Nishiguchi S2, Fukutani N2, Aoyama T2, Arai H3.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of the Intervention by Nutrition and Exercise (INE) study was to investigate the effects of a mail-based intervention for sarcopenia prevention on muscle mass and anabolic hormones in community-dwelling older adults.
DESIGN: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This trial recruited community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older in Japan. The 227 participants were cluster randomized into a walking and nutrition (W/N) group (n = 79), a walking (W) group (n = 71), and a control (C) group (n = 77). We analyzed the physical and biochemical measurements in this substudy.
INTERVENTION: Six months of mail-based intervention (a pedometer-based walking program and nutritional supplementation).
MEASUREMENTS: The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) using the bioelectrical impedance data acquisition system, biochemical measurements, such as those of insulinlike growth factor (IGF-1), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), as well as frailty, were assessed by the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria.
RESULTS: Participants in the W/N and W groups had significantly greater improvements in SMI, IGF-1, and 25(OH)D (P < .05) than those in the C group. Participants in the W/N group had significantly greater improvements in DHEA-S (P < .05) than in the other groups. These effects were more pronounced in frail, older adults.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the mail-based walking intervention of the remote monitoring type for sarcopenia prevention can increase anabolic hormone levels and SMI in community-dwelling older adults, particularly in those who are frail.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.02.017

Hypothesis: Sarcopenia and other senior problems are related to low gastric acid - 2015

Hypothesis: Sarcopenia and other senior problems are related to low gastric acid
   Hypothesis by Vitamin D Life Feb 2015

Elderly need >1 grams of protein /kg of weight and correction of vitamin D deficiency - Jan 2015

Treating Sarcopenia In Older And Oldest Old.
Curr Pharm Des. 2015 Jan 30.
Martone AM, Lattanzio F, Abbatecola AM, La Carpia D, Tosato M, Marzetti E, Calvani R, Onder G, Landi F1.

The presence of sarcopenia is not only rapidly rising in geriatric clinical practice and research, but is also becoming a significant concept in numerous medical specialties. This rapidly rising concept has encouraged the need to identify methods on how to treat sarcopenia. For example, physical activity measures using resistance training exercise, combined with nutritional interventions (protein and amino acid supplementation) have shown to significantly improve muscle mass and strength in older persons. Resistance training may improve muscle strength and mass by improving protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. Aerobic exercise has also shown to hold beneficial impacts on sarcopenia by improving insulin sensitivity. At the moment, the literature indicates that most significant improvement on sarcopenia is based on exercise programs. Thus, this type of intervention should be implemented in a persistent manner over time in elders, with or at risk of muscle loss. At the same time, physical training exercise should include correcting nutritional deficits with supplementation methods.
For example, in older sarcopenic patients with adequate renal function, daily protein intake should be increased to >1. 0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. In particular, leucine, β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine and some milk-based proteins have been have shown to improve skeletal muscle protein balance.
In addition, it is also recommended to correct for vitamin D deficiency, if present, considering the crucial role of vitamin D in skeletal muscle. In this present paper, we will provide evidence regarding the effects of different physical exercise protocols, specific nutritional intervention, and some new metabolic agents (HMB, citrulline malate, ornithine, and others) on clinical outcomes related to sarcopenia in older adults.
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Interventions against sarcopenia in older persons - Dec 2014

Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(38):5983-6006.
Valeria Z, Renato G, Luisa C, Bruno V, Mauro Z, Matteo C1.

The term "sarcopenia" describes the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. It represents a major risk factor for functional loss and disability in older persons. Multiple underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been posed at the basis of the sarcopenia phenomenon, including intrinsic (e.g., age-related modifications of the skeletal muscle, the central nervous system, and hormones) and extrinsic (e.g., sedentariness, poor protein dietary intake) factors.
Several interventions have been explored in the last years to counteract the age-related muscle decline.
These include

• protein supplementations,
• physical exercise,
• testosterone replacement (as well as other anabolic androgens) in men,
• estrogen replacement in women,
• growth hormone replacement, and
• treatment of vitamin D deficiency.

To date, adequate protein intake and resistance training are the most promising interventions able to prevent and/or delay the decline of muscle mass and function. An intense debate is currently ongoing about the best operational definition able to capture the complexity of this aging condition. In the context of identifying the optimal treatment for a specific condition, this is not a trivial issue because it sets the target of the intervention as well as the population at risk. Nevertheless, despite the current methodological issues, it is important to preliminarily test the possible strategies that might be implemented in the future, when the sarcopenia condition will finally be more univocally defined and its clinical relevance recognized. Aim of the present review is to describe and discuss available evidence about the possible interventions potentially serving at acting against sarcopenia. Pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological interventions are presented.

From sarcopenia to frailty: a road less traveled - March 2014

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2014 Mar;5(1):5-8. doi: 10.1007/s13539-014-0132-3. Epub 2014 Feb 14.
Morley JE1, von Haehling S, Anker SD, Vellas B.

The physical frailty phenotype consists of fatigue, weight loss, and loss of muscle power. Sarcopenia has been shown to be a major cause of frailty. Six societies including SCWD published a consensus suggesting that all persons older than 70 years of age should be screened for frailty when seeing health professionals.
Simple screening tests such as the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, aerobic, illness, and loss of weight) scale can be used.
It is felt that frailty can be treated by

• exercise (resistance and aerobic),
• high quality protein,
• vitamin D, and
• treatment of the common causes of fatigue.

It is expected that this approach will decrease disability in older persons.
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life.

Improved muscle function in postmenopausal women with just 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily – RCT May 2015

Improved muscle function in postmenopausal women with just 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily – RCT May 2015
postmenopausal women with a history of falls (associated with low vitamin D)
1,000 IU daily for 9 months

Vitamin D is one of 3 basic options to treat Sarcopenia - June 2015

Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Sarcopenia
Calcified Tissue International, June 2015
John E. Morley

Sarcopenia is now clinically defined as a loss of muscle mass coupled with functional deterioration (either walking speed or distance or grip strength). Based on the FRAX studies suggesting that the questions without bone mineral density can be used to screen for osteoporosis, there is now a valid simple questionnaire to screen for sarcopenia, i.e., the SARC-F. Numerous factors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of sarcopenia. These include genetic factors, mitochondrial defects, decreased anabolic hormones (e.g., testosterone, vitamin D, growth hormone and insulin growth hormone-1), inflammatory cytokine excess, insulin resistance, decreased protein intake and activity, poor blood flow to muscle and deficiency of growth derived factor-11. Over the last decade, there has been a remarkable increase in our understanding of the molecular biology of muscle, resulting in a marked increase in potential future targets for the treatment of sarcopenia.
At present,

• resistance exercise,
• protein supplementation, and
• vitamin D

have been established as the basic treatment of sarcopenia. High-dose testosterone increases muscle power and function, but has a number of potentially limiting side effects. Other drugs in clinical development include selective androgen receptor molecules, ghrelin agonists, myostatin antibodies, activin IIR antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, beta antagonists, and fast skeletal muscle troponin activators. As sarcopenia is a major predictor of frailty, hip fracture, disability, and mortality in older persons, the development of drugs to treat it is eagerly awaited.
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Sarcopenia overview including Vitamin D - Life Extension Foundation - Nov 2018

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See also web

• Effects of nutrition supplementation and physical exercise on muscle mass, muscle strength and fat mass among sarcopenic elderly RCT Nov 2020, PDF $30, DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0643
• The most effective factors to offset sarcopenia and obesity in the older Korean: Physical activity, vitamin D, and protein intake Nutrition Jan 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.06.004
• Longitudinal Associations Between Vitamin D Metabolites and Sarcopenia in Older Australian men: The Concord Health and Aging in Men Project
  Sarcopenia 2.5X more likely if low Vitamin D (5 years earlier)
• Search Cinical Trials for SARCOPENIA and "VITAMIN D" 33 trials as of Feb 2021
• Prevalence, incidence, and clinical impact of sarcopenia: facts, numbers, and epidemiology-update 2014. Dec 2014
• Improved muscle function in postmenopausal women with just 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily – RCT May 2015
• Vitamin D supplementation improves muscle strength in healthy adults – meta-analysis of 6 RCT Aug 2014
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29,900+ results for query for sarcopenia "vitamin d" in Google Scholar July 2023

Google Scholar

Vitamin D Deficiency in Older Patients—Problems of Sarcopenia, Drug Interactions, Management in Deficiency - April 2021

Nutrients Volume 13 Issue 4 10.3390/nu13041247
Małgorzata Kupisz-Urbańska 1,*ORCID,Paweł Płudowski 2 andEwa Marcinowska-Suchowierska 1ORCID
1 Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland
2 Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland

Vitamin D deficiency frequently occurs in older people, especially in individuals with comorbidity and polypharmacotherapy. In this group, low vitamin D plasma concentration is related to osteoporosis, osteomalacia, sarcopenia and myalgia. Vitamin D levels in humans is an effect of the joint interaction of all vitamin D metabolic pathways. Therefore, all factors interfering with individual metabolic stages may affect 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma concentration. The known factors affecting vitamin D metabolism interfere with cytochrome CYP3A4 activity. There is another group of factors that impairs intestinal vitamin D absorption. The phenomenon of drugs and vitamin D interactions is observed first and foremost in patients with comorbidity. This is a typical situation, where the absence of “hard evidence” is not synonymous with the possible lack of adverse effects. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia (generalized and progressive decrease of skeletal muscle mass and strength) are some of the musculoskeletal consequences of hypovitaminosis D. These consequences are related to an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including bone fractures, physical disabilities, and a lower quality of life. This can lead not only to an increased risk of falls and fractures but is also one of the main causes of frailty syndrome in the aging population. Generally, Vitamin D plasma concentration is significantly lower in subjects with osteoporosis and muscle deterioration. In some observational and uncontrolled treatment studies, vitamin D supplementation resulted in a reduction of proximal myopathy and muscle pain. The most conclusive results were found in subjects with severe vitamin D deficiency and in patients avoiding large doses of vitamin D. However, the role of vitamin D in muscle pathologies is not clear and research has provided conflicting results. This is plausibly due to the heterogeneity of the subjects, vitamin D doses and environmental factors. This report presents data on some problems with vitamin D deficiency in the elderly population and the management of vitamin D deficiency D in successful or unsuccessful aging.
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Vitamin D and Sarcopenia: Potential of Vitamin D Supplementation in Sarcopenia Prevention and Treatment - Oct 2020

Nutrients 2020, 12(10), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103189
by Ran Uchitomi †,Mamoru Oyabu † andYasutomi Kamei *
Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto 606-8522, Japan

Skeletal muscle, the largest organ in the human body, accounting for approximately 40% of body weight, plays important roles in exercise and energy expenditure. In the elderly, there is often a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, a condition known as sarcopenia, which can lead to bedridden conditions, wheelchair confinement as well as reducing the quality of life (QOL). In developed countries with aging populations, the prevention and management of sarcopenia are important for the improvement of health and life expectancy in these populations. Recently, vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, has been attracting attention due to its importance in sarcopenia. This review will focus on the effects of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on sarcopenia.
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The Vitamin D/Vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis in muscle atrophy and sarcopenia - Aug 2022

Cellular Signalling Volume 96, August 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110355
Shelby E. Bollen a, Joseph J. Bass a, Satoshi Fujita c, Daniel Wilkinson a, Martin Hewison b, Philip J. Atherton a

Muscle atrophy and sarcopenia (the term given to the age-related decline in muscle mass and function), influence an individuals risk of falls, frailty, functional decline, and, ultimately, impaired quality of life. Vitamin D deficiency (low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D OH)D3 has been reported to impair muscle strength and increase risk of sarcopenia. The mechanisms that underpin the link between low 25(OH)D3 and sarcopenia are yet to be fully understood but several lines of evidence have highlighted the importance of both genomic and non-genomic effects of active vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25( OH)2D3)) and its nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), in skeletal muscle functioning. Studies in vitro have demonstrated a key role for the vitamin D/VDR axis in regulating biological processes central to sarcopenic muscle atrophy, such as proteolysis, mitochondrial function, cellular senescence, and adiposity. The aim of this review is to provide a mechanistic overview of the proposed mechanisms for the vitamin D/VDR axis in sarcopenic muscle atrophy.
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Small doses of just vitamin D did not help sacropenia - meta-analysis March 2022

Effect of vitamin D monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12976Citations: 15
Konstantinos Prokopidis, Panagiotis Giannos, Konstantinos Katsikas Triantafyllidis, Konstantinos S. Kechagias …

Background
Vitamin D supplementation is proposed as a potentially effective nutritional intervention to mitigate the risk of sarcopenia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods
A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared the effect of vitamin D supplementation (as monotherapy) with placebo on indices of sarcopenia in older (>50 years) adults. Using the random effects inverse-variance model, we calculated the mean difference (MD) in handgrip strength (HGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed up and go (TUG), and appendicular lean mass (ALM) between groups. We also calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) in general muscle strength and general physical performance (composite plot of all muscle strength and physical performance outcomes, respectively) between groups.

Results
Ten RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. A significant decrease in SPPB scores was observed with vitamin D supplementation compared with placebo (MD: −0.23; 95% CI −0.40 to −0.06; I2 = 0%; P = 0.007). Vitamin D supplementation conferred no effect on HGS (MD: −0.07 kg; 95% CI −0.70 to 0.55; I2 = 51%, P = 0.82), TUG (MD: 0.07 s; 95% CI −0.08 to 0.22; I2 = 0%, P = 0.35), ALM (MD: 0.06 kg/m2; 95% CI: −0.32 to 0.44; I2 = 73%, P = 0.77), general muscle strength (SMD: −0.01; 95% CI −0.17 to 0.15; I2 = 42%, P = 0.90), or general physical performance (SMD: −0.02; 95% CI −0.23 to 0.18; I2 = 71%, P = 0.83).

Conclusions
Vitamin D supplementation did not improve any sarcopenia indices in community-dwelling older adults and may compromise some aspects of physical performance. Future studies are warranted to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on individual indices of SPPB, including mobility and balance, in older adults.
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Whey Protein, Leucine- and Vitamin-D-Enriched Oral Nutritional Supplementation for the Treatment of Sarcopenia

Journals Nutrients Volume 14 Issue 7 10.3390/nu14071524
by Emanuele Cereda 1,*ORCID,Roberto Pisati 1,Mariangela Rondanelli 2,3ORCID and Riccardo Caccialanza 1ORCID
1 Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy
2 IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
3 Unit of Human and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Note: 800 IU of Vitamin D, 3 servings per day
Sarcopenia has been recognized as a muscle disease, with adverse consequences on health. Updated recommendations, aimed at increasing awareness of sarcopenia and its accompanying risks, have been produced to urge the early detection and treatment of this disease.
Recommended treatment is based on an individually tailored resistance exercise training program, the optimization of protein intake using high-quality protein sources (i.e., whey protein) in order to provide a high amount of essential amino acids—particularly leucine—and addressing vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. The purpose of this review is to collate and describe all of the relevant efficacy studies carried out with a muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS)—namely a whey-protein-based, leucine- and vitamin D-enriched formula aimed at optimizing their intake and satisfying their requirements—in different patient populations and clinical settings in order to determine if there is enough evidence to recommend prescription for the treatment of sarcopenia or its prevention in high-risk patient populations. Trials using a MT-ONS with or without a concomitant physical exercise program were systematically searched (up to June 2021), and those addressing relevant endpoints (muscle mass, physical performance and function) were critically reviewed. In total, 10 articles providing efficacy data from eight trials were identified and narratively reviewed. As far as older patients with sarcopenia are concerned, MT-ONS has been pertinently tested in six clinical trials (duration 4–52 weeks), mostly using a high-quality randomized controlled trial design and demonstrating efficacy in increasing the muscle mass and strength, as well as the physical performance versus iso-caloric placebo or standard practice.
Consistent results have been observed in various clinical settings (community, rehabilitation centers, care homes), with or without adjunctive physical exercise programs. A positive effect on markers of inflammation has also been shown. A muscle-protein-sparing effect, with benefits on physical performance and function, has also been demonstrated in patients at risk of losing skeletal muscle mass (three trials), such as older patients undergoing weight loss or intensive rehabilitation programs associated with neurological disability (Parkinson’s disease). MT-ONS has demonstrated not only a significant efficacy in clinical variables, but also a positive impact on healthcare resource consumption in the rehabilitation setting (length of stay and duration of rehabilitation).
In summary, MT-ONS, alone or in association with an appropriate exercise program, is an effective therapy for older patients with sarcopenia and should be offered as a first-line treatment, not only to improve clinical outcomes but also to reduce healthcare resource consumption, particularly in patients admitted to a rehabilitation center.
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Sarcopenia 1.6X more likely if you have a poor VDR – Nov 2020

Relationship of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with sarcopenia and muscle traits based on propensity score matching
J Clin Lab Anal. 2020 Nov; 34(11): e23485.doi: 10.1002/jcla.23485
Xuemei Yao, 1 Lei Yang, 1 Meiyan Li, 1 and Hui Xiao 1

Background
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism is reported to be associated with muscle mass and muscle strength. Loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased muscle strength are the main characteristics of sarcopenia. In this study, the relationship of VDR gene polymorphism with muscle traits (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance) and sarcopenia were studied in Xinjiang, China.

Methods
Totally, 205 sarcopenia patients were enrolled. Propensity score method was used to match control group. FokI and BsmI polymorphisms were genotyped using improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR).

Results
Fok1, but not Bsm1, polymorphism was significantly associated with sarcopenia. Patients with Fok1 GG genotype were more likely to have sarcopenia. Both Bsm1 and Fok1 polymorphism were related to muscle traits. Patients with Bsm1 CT genotype had lower gait speed (GS) but higher skeletal mass index. Patients with Fok1 GG genotype had lower GS, and female subjects with the Fok1 GG genotype had lower handgrip strength (HS). GS was decreased in Bsm1 CT genotype than CC carriers. HS and GS were decreased in Fok1 GG genotype than AA carriers.

Conclusion
Fok1, but not Bsm1, polymorphism is associated with sarcopenia. Both Bsm1 and Fok1 polymorphism affect both HS and GS.
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