According to a survey by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDCP, between 2001 to 2006, two-thirds of Americans were vitamin D deficient. As a matter of fact, deficiency in vitamin D is more common in those who are younger, male, or non-Hispanic white. It is even riskier for women who are pregnant of lactating. However, science may have a new solution for this.
A recent study presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Edinburgh shows that taking vitamin D supplements can advance exercise performance and lower the risk of heart disease.
Vitamin D, which is considered as both a vitamin and a hormone, aids control levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood. It is also found to be beneficial in the formation of bones and teeth. This vital vitamin is contained in oily fish and eggs. However, diet alone may not ensure enough daily dose of vitamin D. Many people even expose their skin to ultraviolet B rays in sunlight just to generate vitamin D.
It has been suggested in previous studies that vitamin D can block the action and enzyme that triggers the "stress hormone" cortisol. This said stress hormone is not really health for the body as high levels of it may raise blood pressure by hampering arteries, narrowing blood vessels and encourages the kidneys to retain water. Since vitamin D may lessen circulating levels of cortisol, it could (in theory) enhance exercise performance and lower cardiovascular risk factors.
The researchers from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh supplied 13 healthy adults (matched by age and weight) with 50 μg of vitamin D per day or a placebo over a period of two weeks.
As related by Dr. Raquel Revuelta of the study, results showed that adults supplemented with vitamin D had lower blood pressure compared to those given a placebo, and also had lower levels of cortisol in their urine. A fitness test was also conducted and concluded that those taking vitamin D supplements showed lower signs of physical exertion while having cycled farther distance in a given time.
The study continues further as it will perform a larger clinical trial for a longer period of time in both healthy individuals and large groups of athletes.
