Exercise: A Possibly Effective Way to Improve Vitamin D Nutritional Status

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency has become a widespread public health problem owing to its potential adverse health effects. Generally, the nutritional status of vitamin D depends on sunlight exposure and dietary or supplementary intake. However, recent studies have found that exercise can influence circulating 25(OH)D levels; although, the results have been inconclusive. In this review, we focused on the effect of exercise on circulating vitamin D metabolites and their possible mechanisms. We found that endurance exercise can significantly increase serum 25(OH)D levels in vitamin D-deficient people but has no significant effect on vitamin D-sufficient people. This benefit has not been observed with resistance training. Only chronic endurance exercise training can significantly increase serum 1,25(OH)2D, and the effect may be sex-dependent. Exercise may influence 25(OH)D levels in the circulation by regulating either the vitamin D metabolites stored in tissues or the utilization by target tissues. The effects of exercise on 25(OH)D levels in the circulation may be dependent on many factors, such as the vitamin D nutritional status, exercise type and intensity, and sex. Therefore, further research on the effects and mechanisms of exercise on vitamin D metabolites is required.

Prevalence, trend, and predictor analyses of vitamin D deficiency in the US population, 2001–2018

“…Individuals with low SES may have low disease awareness and may not like consuming foods high in vitamin D, such as fish and milk (54). The literature shows that low SES (low income) may limit the potential to purchase more expensive and vitamin D-rich foods (e.g., sea fish, fish oil, fortified foods, and eggs) and do regular physical examinations to find VDD timely (55) Other studies have widely discussed the potential mechanisms for these connections between BMI, alcohol consumption, sun-protective behaviors, and milk consumption with vitamin D status (59)(60)(61)(62). Notably, the relationship between sunscreen use and vitamin D status is contrary to previous studies (63, 64).…”

“…Other studies have widely discussed the potential mechanisms for these connections between BMI, alcohol consumption, sun-protective behaviors, and milk consumption with vitamin D status ( 59 – 62 ). Notably, the relationship between sunscreen use and vitamin D status is contrary to previous studies ( 63 , 64 ).…”

Relationships among Vitamin D Insufficiency, Health belief, Quality of Life and Metabolic Syndrome in Northeastern Taiwanese Adults: A Cross-sectional Community-based Cohort Study

“…Different measurements used to assess the HBM and HRQoL may have varied outcomes. Third, we were unable to include medication, physical activity, and comorbidity status as covariables because these variables in uence vitamin D metabolism [48][49][50].…”

The effect of physical activity on vitamin D: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies in humans

“…It has been hypothesised that physical activity might influence serum 25(OH)D concentration by increasing fat metabolism, leading to the release of vitamin D and/or its metabolites from adipose tissue [ 58 ]. This hypothesis has been supported by the many observational studies that have shown positive effects of physical activity on 25(OH)D concentration or vitamin D status [ [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] ].…”