Felicity Bean ● 2 min read
An increased proportion of body fat as well as obesity are reported to lower bioavailability of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) due to its preference to accumulate in adipose tissue.[1] This can cause further issues in medical conditions already complicated by obesity.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial observed the effects of calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in 104 overweight and obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).[2]
They were randomly assigned to four groups: 1000mg/day calcium + vitamin D placebo; 50,000 IU/week vitamin D + calcium placebo; 1000mg calcium/day + 50,000 IU/week vitamin D; and calcium placebo + vitamin D placebo. Blood samples were measured at the beginning and after eight weeks supplementation.
Calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation resulted in increased levels of serum calcium and vitamin D compared to the other groups. The co-supplementation group also recorded decreased serum insulin levels, homeostasis model of assessment – insulin resistance score and significant increase in insulin sensitivity check index.
In addition, a significant decrease in serum triglyceride’s and VLDL cholesterol was also measured in this group post treatment. The authors concluded that calcium and vitamin D supplementation was beneficial for vitamin D deficient women with PCOS.
A Swedish study compared vitamin D status and intake between obese and normal-weight women during pregnancy. A blood sample as well as information on diet and sun exposure was collated during each trimester from over 100 women of mixed weights.[3]
Half the obese women tested had substandard levels of vitamin D in the first trimester. Obese women also had lower vitamin D status than normal-weight women even though they reported a higher dietary intake.
The majority of all the women tested did not reach the appropriate intake of vitamin D as recommended in dietary guidelines during pregnancy. The most valuable determinants of vitamin D status were supplement use, body fat mass, season of blood testing and travel to southern latitudes.
References
- Bellan M, Guzzaloni G, Rinaldi M, et al. Altered glucose metabolism rather than naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to vitamin D status in severe obesity. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2014;13:57. [Full Text]
- Asemi Z, Foroozanfard F, Hashemi T, et al. Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation affects glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in overweight and obese vitamin D deficient women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Clin Nut 2014;DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2014.09.015. [Abstract]
- Karlsson T, Andersson L, Hussain A, et al. Lower vitamin D status in obese compared with normal-weight women despite higher vitamin D intake in early pregnancy. Clin Nutr 2014;DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.09.012. [Full Text]
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