Recent studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency can have very negative effects on women’s health and can lead to loss of abdominal fat and muscle.
One of the most important nutrients that really impacts your health is Vitamin D. Studies have pointed out that a lack of Vitamin D can lead to many types of physical illnesses, including mental health issues. A study published in the Journal Nutrients also found a link between Vitamin D and women’s health, specifically muscle gain or loss and abdominal fat gain or loss. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to women losing abdominal fat and muscle, sometimes both at the same time. Studies have shown that women between the ages of 20 and 49 are especially at risk for these two issues. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between Vitamin D and women’s health.
Vitamin D and abdominal fat and muscle mass
Recent studies have shown that women who do not have enough vitamin D in their bodies tend to have a higher body fat index (BAI), a lower body mass index (BMI), and a higher waist-to-height ratio. A lower BMI means that a person’s body has less muscle mass than it should, and a higher waist-to-height ratio means that a person has more abdominal fat.
The main findings of this study are:
- Body composition analysis of some female participants showed that women with insufficient vitamin D in their bodies had a higher BAI and a higher waist-to-height ratio.
- Women who consumed sufficient vitamin D showed a lower BAI and a slightly lower waist-to-height ratio, which means that sufficient vitamin D reduces body fat and abdominal fat in women.
- Women with sufficient vitamin D intake were observed to have a higher BMI-adjusted muscle mass index.
- Women with lower vitamin D levels were also observed to have lower BMI-adjusted muscle mass index.
Why do women need both Vitamin D and muscle?
Multiple studies have pointed out that women especially need sufficient vitamin D nutrients and muscle in their body. It has also been proven that women are at higher risk of suffering from deficiencies of these two important elements as they age. Age can cause muscle mass loss, especially for post-menopausal women. Furthermore, women tend to become deficient in vitamins as they age. This nutrient keeps bone density good, which is something that women also start losing as they age. For the above reasons, women especially should ensure that they consume foods that are high in vitamin D and protein. Protein-rich foods also help in building muscles, thereby preventing abdominal fat gain. Note that muscle gain is a key step to reducing abdominal fat, and all women should focus on this area after a certain age.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and has not been peer-reviewed. Please consult a medical professional for more information.
