Most people in UAE are deficient in Vitamin D due to there limited exposure to the sun in the scorching heat of summers.
It’s not uncommon to see many of my clients suffering from obesity or diabetes (or pre-diabetics) also tend to have low levels of Vitamin D.
Deficiency of Vitamin D is directly linked to insulin resistance , which is the reduced ability of muscle cells to absorb glucose from the blood. As a result circulating glucose remains high and also deposited mostly as adipose (body fat) tissue.
Insulin resistance is further linked to host of problems like obesity , diabetes , PCOS, cancers, fatigue etc.
Supplementing with Vitamin D has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity through various pathways like :
-> Vit D’s help in muscle maturation due to its interaction with Vit D receptors in skeletal muscle cells
-> Vit D’s anti-inflammatory properties prevents chronic muscle cell damage
-> Vit D actually increases the expression of insulin receptors leading to better absorption of glucose by muscle cells
-> Vit D’s aid in activation of PPAR (delta) gene which is involved in burning glucose/fat for energy
Vitamin D will also indirectly increase insulin sensitivity as it allows for calcium absorption which is going to contribute to stronger musculo-skeletal system and better contraction of muscles promoting superior strength gains (we all know calcium is required for contraction of muscle cells).
Vitamin D is also one of the most potent inhibitors of cancer cells.
Supplementation of Vitamin D
Owing to its benefits , supplementing Vit D anything between 2000IU to 10000IU (depending upon blood levels) will promote better health and strength performance.
Most of my clients who are training intensely supplementing about 5000IU of Vit D everyday which has been shown to be a safe dosage in clinical studies.
Daily exposure to sunlight also promotes body’s internal manufacturing of Vitamin D.
