Vitamin D Can Prevent Sarcopenia in Old Age
Enhanced Muscle Function to Levels Similar to Those During Exercise
The National Institutes of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recently announced research findings showing that maintaining an appropriate concentration of vitamin D in the blood can effectively prevent sarcopenia caused by aging in the elderly.
This study, published online in the latest issue of Life Sciences, an international medical journal, focused on vitamin D as a method to prevent and improve muscle loss in the elderly and confirmed its effectiveness in improving sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia is a condition in which muscle mass and function rapidly decline with age, and it can lead to various health issues such as diabetes and metabolic diseases in the elderly. In particular, preventing sarcopenia is crucial for older adults, as it becomes difficult to maintain a stable metabolic state in the body due to aging.
When exercising, myokines that regulate muscle function are secreted, and the research team found that supplementing with vitamin D (20,000 IU/kg) improved muscle function by increasing the blood concentration of apelin among myokines and the expression of its receptor. It was demonstrated that muscle function improved to a level comparable to that achieved during exercise.
Park Hyun-young, Director General of the National Institute of Health, stated, "The results of this study are an important finding that directly revealed the prevention and mechanism of sarcopenia in the elderly, similar to the effect of exercise through vitamin D intake." He added, "The occurrence of sarcopenia can be prevented through sufficient vitamin D intake, and it is expected that this will help prevent it and extend a healthy lifespan."