Vitamin D and Obesity
Nutrients 2013, 5(3), 949-956; doi:10.3390/nu5030949
Simon Vanlintemail
Discipline of General Practice, School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, SA 5005, Australia
Received: 16 February 2013; revised12 March / Accepted: 14 March / Published: 20 March
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Human Health)
Abstract
Obesity is a significant health problem world-wide, particularly in developed nations. Vitamin D deficiency is pandemic, and has been implicated in a wide variety of disease states. This paper seeks to examine the consistently reported relationship between obesity and low vitamin D concentrations, with reference to the possible underlying mechanisms. The possibility that vitamin D may assist in preventing or treating obesity is also examined, and recommendations for future research are made. There is a clear need for adequately-powered, prospective interventions which include baseline measurement of 25D concentrations and involve adequate doses of supplemental vitamin D. Until such studies have been reported, the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity prevention remains uncertain.
A Much Simpler Explanation (clipped from section 2.5 of PDF)
Despite the hypotheses and findings outlined above, an elegant study of 686 community-dwelling individuals showed that a volumetric dilutional model accounted for essentially all the variability in serum 25D concentrations attributable to obesity.
Even though the factors described above may be operative, they are effectively "captured" by body weight.
Once serum 25D concentrations in obese individuals are adjusted for body size, there is no longer a difference between obese and non-obese individuals [30].
The authors concluded that in obese individuals, vitamin D dosing for the treatment of deficiency should be based upon body weight,
and calculated that an input of 70-80 IU/kg/day would be expected to produce serum 25D concentrations in the 75-100 nmol/L range.
PDF is attached at the bottom of this page
See also Vitamin D Life
- Obese need more Vitamin D: Volume dilution, IU per pound, or BMI – RCT Dec 2012
- Obese need 2X as much vitamin D to get the same response – June 2012
- Overview Obesity and Vitamin D
- Absurdity of 600 IU vitamin D for 10 lb infant or 300 lb adult - Mar 2011
- Off Topic: Smaller people may live longer due to more benefit from supplements and drugs
Some vitamin D experts, like the one in this study, believe that vitamin D supplementation should be based on weight - Recommend 100 IU of vitamin D per kg of infant - Poland July 2011 which includes the following chart (note 100 IU/kg/day)
(Note: virtually all vets calculate the vitamin D supplements on the animal weight)