Vitamin D and Fat Loss – Is Vitamin D Deficiency Sabotaging Your Fat Loss?
If you have ever hit a fat loss plateau then it is possible that a deficiency of one of nature’s most powerful vitamins is to blame? A recent study found that people who had the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood enjoyed significantly more weight loss than those with lower levels. In fact for every point increase in vitamin D blood levels, subjects lost one-half pound more weight compared to people with the lowest levels. That is quite a difference considering I see people whose blood levels are 20-40 points below optimal levels!
In this study, researchers tested the blood of 38 obese subjects for vitamin D levels prior to starting a diet. The vitamin D blood levels predicted the success that each subject enjoyed.
Dr. Ray’s Notes:
Vitamin D deficiency is rampant and people who are overweight and obese are at a significantly higher risk of having insufficient vitamin D levels. This study was not a double blind, placebo controlled study and thus we can only show a connection rather than a cause-effect relationship. We need further study to determine if vitamin D supplementation will result in additional fat loss. With that said, vitamin D is considered one of the safest and most important nutrients and so I see no reason why everybody should not include this into their supplement program. I recommend that people take a minimum of 2,000 iu of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) daily. Overweight people may need 4,000-6,000 iu daily to achieve optimal blood levels. Next time you have a physical, have your doctor order a blood test for vitamin D. I will caution you though, if your test shows a deficiency then your doctor may try and give you prescription vitamin D. This is an expensive and ineffective form of vitamin D called ergocalciferol. Tell your doctor “Thanks, but no thanks” and pick up some vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from your health food store for pennies a day.
How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.
Thank you for visiting our site. As more information comes to light around this connection, I will update it. In the meantime, leave any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them!
My D was very low on a recent blood test. I am now on 2,000 IU D3, 3 times daily. Just from reading about Vitamin D it seems to be a hot topic. Recent studies are suggesting much higher doses than before. Low vitamin D is related to depression, low energy/fatigue, hormonal inbalance, heart disease, immunity and certain cancers. Vitamin D is a precurser hormone. Our ancestors lived outdoors and didn’t work in offices with artificial light. Also they didn’t use any SPF 40 sunblock. So getting enough healthy sun exposure (2hrs per week) is important or supplimenting if you cannot.