Vitamin D deficiency 'could increase body fat'
Vitamin D deficiency 'could increase body fat'
Low levels of vitamin D could lead to increased body fat and decreased a muscle strength in young people, new research suggests.According to a study at Canada's McGill University Health Centre, people with insufficient levels of the nutrient are also at risk of a range of other disorders.
The research is the first to reveal a clear link between vitamin D levels and a build-up of fat in muscle tissue, which leads to decreased strength and overall health.
"In the present study, we found an inverse relationship between vitamin D and muscle fat," said lead researcher Dr Richard Kremer.
"The lower the levels of vitamin D the more fat in subjects' muscles."
He added that vitamin D deficiency is also linked with a range of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as cardiovascular problems.
The nutrient is produced as a natural by-product of the skin's exposure to sunlight and can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fish such as salmon and mackerel.
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