The Impact of Vitamin D on Weight Loss
The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, which are inversely associated with measures of obesity, are lower in overweight and obese populations. There have been several studies that have investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on weight loss, and studies combining weight loss interventions with increased vitamin D intake, either through supplementation or foods fortified with vitamin D. 25OHD levels have also been measured before and after weight loss to see if they improve and if the changes in 25OHD levels are related to the degree of weight loss. Some studies have suggested that vitamin D status is associated with weight loss success, with supplementation resulting in weight loss, or higher baseline 25OHD or greater increases in 25OHD levels associated with greater weight loss, although this has not been shown in all studies.