Vitamin D Deficiency tied to loss of muscle strength among elderly

This original research was published in Calcified Tissue International.

The bone and muscle tissues are interconnected mechanically, physically and biochemically (via hormones). Hormonal disorders like Vitamin D deficiency cause an imbalance in protein synthesis. The data on Vitamin D deficiency and dynapenia remain controversial.

Considering this background, researchers analyzed if Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for dynapenia and whether vitamin D supplementation modifies them.

The summary study points include the following:

· 3205 participants (non-dynapenic at baseline )of the ELSA study were followed for four years.

· Vitamin D was measured as sufficient (> 50 nmol/L), insufficient (≥ 30 and ≤ 50 nmol/L) or deficient (< 30 nmol/L).

· Dynapenia was determined by a grip strength of < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women.

· Serum 25(OH)D deficient was related to the incidence of dynapenia with an IRR of 1.70.

· Those without osteoporosis and not using vitamin D supplementation, serum 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency had IRR of 1.78 and 1.77 and were risk factors for dynapenia.

To conclude, researchers said that a serum level of 25(OH)D < 30 nmol/L is a risk factor for dynapenia. In older people, Vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of dynapenia by 78%.

Further reading:

Delinocente, M.L.B., Luiz, M.M., de Oliveira, D.C. et al. Are Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency Risk Factors for the Incidence of Dynapenia?. Calcif Tissue Int 111, 571–579 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-022-01021-8