Adding vitamin D to weight loss protocol reduces inflammation biomarkers

In a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, it was revealed that adding vitamin D supplementation to weight loss protocols has a greater effect on reducing inflammation than weight loss alone.

Chronic inflammation is well known for leading to and even fostering the development of diseases, including many cancers.

The study itself was a randomized clinical trial that brought together over 200 postmenopausal, overweight women. All had vitamin D deficiencies at the start. Over the course of a 12-month period, these women underwent an exercise and diet program. Half remained controls, while the other half received a daily dose of 2,000 IU of vitamin D.

Each woman’s inflammation biomarkers were recorded from beginning to end. Upon completion, all participants had reduced levels of inflammation.

Those that had the highest decrease in inflammation markers were those who received vitamin D and lost 5 to 10 percent of their weight.

“We know from our previous studies that by losing weight, people can reduce their overall levels of inflammation, and there is some evidence suggesting that taking vitamin D supplements can have a similar effect if one has insufficient levels of the nutrient,” reported study author Catherine Duggan, Ph.D., of Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutch.

Scientists are now seeing vitamin D as a way to enhance how weight loss reduces inflammation. It is currently believed that, once a person suffers from chronic inflammation, their natural intake of vitamin D is diluted and stored in the fat tissues. This may be why many obese persons test low for vitamin D.

Source:

FredHutch.org