Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for boosting the natural defense of the body. Also, it is beneficial for the bones of the body. Studies indicate that vitamin D can prove to be effective in reducing fat, thereby keeping the body weight in control.
Advanced studies have revealed that sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D on earth. When your skin comes in contact with the sunlight, the body starts generating this useful vitamin. But how helpful is vitamin D for weight loss? Well, we will find it out.
Vitamin D for Weight Loss
Though sunlight happens to be the best and the most accessible source of getting vitamin D, one can also get it from foods and supplements. Among other functions of the nutrient, such as enhancing the strength of bones and teeth, vitamin D also plays a vital role in the absorption of phosphorus and calcium.
What amount of vitamin D can help in reducing body weight is a common question amount nutritionists. However, a majority of them agree to the fact that exposure to sunlight for any duration between five and thirty minutes can make a big difference in this regard.
For people who are not able to get enough exposure to sunlight can also get vitamin D by taking the supplements. The recommended amount for vitamin D supplement for those who have a deficiency is 600 IU, which is equivalent to 15 mcg.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies to Lose Weight]
Studies Suggest That Obese People Have Significantly Lower Levels of Vitamin D.
Body mass index or the BMI of a person gives an account of how healthy and fit you are. It is the ratio of your body weight to the square of your body height. This ratio provides a clear picture of whether or not you are overweight. Those who have a BMI in the range of 18.5-24.9 are considered to be healthy.
Advanced studies have thrown light on the fact that people who have unhealthy BMI have a lesser level of vitamin D in their body. Also, there is mounting evidence of the fact that the majority of obese people avoid direct exposure of their skin to sunlight. Besides, they also take a lesser amount of foods that are rich in vitamin D.
In a study involving 218 women, there were obese women of various age groups. All were kept under a low-calorie diet and exercise routine. While half of the women got a placebo, the other half of them were provided with vitamin D supplement.
According to records, it was found that women who belonged to the latter group showed signs of faster weight loss than the former group. On average, they lost about 3.2 kgs more than their counterparts who were given a placebo.
Another study conducted on obese women for 12 weeks revealed a startling fact about vitamin D. A group of women was given vitamin D supplement, and the progress of their weight loss was monitored for 84 days. It was found that though they did not lose any body weight. But they did not gain any body weight either.
[Also Read: Supplements to Burn Fat ]
Vitamin D: Linked to Reduction in Body Weight
From the study mentioned above, it became clear to researchers that vitamin D(1) could play a part in preventing the body from gaining extra pounds of weight.
A study also highlighted the importance of vitamin D in the body of older women as much as their younger counterparts. When the health condition of 4,600 women was monitored for 4.5 years, it was found that those who had a higher concentration of vitamin D in their body showed fewer medical visits.
Hence, there is substantial evidence to suggest that vitamin D is responsible for the reduction of overall body weight. It is due to this observation that vitamin D has become the talk of the town for weight loss.
It has been verified that an increased intake of vitamin D can be vital for managing body weight effectively. But more research-based evidence is required to reinforce this belief.
[Also Read: Vitamins That Help You Lose Weight]
How Does Vitamin D Help in Burning Fat
Several theories have been attempted to find out the reason behind the connection between the intake of vitamin D and the reduction of body weight(2). Fortunately, studies have highlighted the exact reason for this development.
When the body gets vitamin D, two phenomena take place at the same time: reduction in the formation of fat cells and suppression of the storage of fat cells. These two processes work in combination with one another to lower the buildup of subcutaneous fat underneath the skin.
In addition to that, vitamin D also generates vast amounts of serotonin in the body, which can help suppress hunger effectively. When one is not hungry, they are likely to consume a lesser amount of food which can trigger weight loss more effectively. Also, a higher concentration of vitamin D is linked to a simultaneous increase in the level of testosterone – a male hormone – in the body, which can also help in keeping the body weight under check.
Obesity remains a challenge in today’s world. If not treated promptly, it can go on to trigger some severe health conditions at the subsequent stages. Vitamin D has emerged as the new weapon to fight the menace of obesity. It is simple and yet, more effective than other weight loss solutions. As vitamin D remains an unexplored avenue in medical science, more breakthrough is expected in the upcoming years.
FAQs
1. Does Vitamin D Help with Weight Loss?
Vitamin D lowers body weight by preventing the production of fat cells and suppressing the accumulation of excess fat. Plus, it also enhances the levels of serotonin and testosterone, which not only helps in cutting down body weight but also prevents excess weight gain.
2. How Much Vitamin D Should I Take to Lose Weight?
The recommended amount for vitamin D supplement nearly 600 IU, which is equivalent to 15 mcg.
