Vitamin D Shown to Help With Weight Loss
Written By: Jan McBarron MD, ND (Duke & The Doctor Health Headline News)
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Published - Jan 9, 2011
Vitamin D has been all over the news recently and is now considered a natural remedy for many conditions. Testing by doctors is becomming routine and some reports are revealing that up to 80 percent of Americans are either deficient or have insufficient levels of this important nutrient.
However don’t fall into the trap thinking that the 50,000 I.U. once a week that is most commonly precribed by many doctor’s is the best natural remedy to replenish your vitamin D levels. It is syntheticaly manufactured and since it is D2 not D3 it is not the same as what your body naturally produces.
Taking a natural vitamin D made by a vitamin company is the best way help you to maintain adequate levels and research is now showing that their is a link between Vitamin D levels and weight loss.
The results of a 2009 study suggest that it is possible that adding vitamin D to a calorie-restricted eating plan will lead to better weight loss.
In this study, participants were placed on an eating plan that provided 750 calories less per day than their estimated total daily needs. The researchers also measured the vitamin D levels of each of the participants at the beginning and end of the study.
Study participants with higher initial vitamin D levels lost more weight. In fact, for every 1ng/ml increase in their vitamin D level, researchers noted 0.2kg more weight loss. That translates to a loss of about 1 pound more for those whose levels were about 10 ng/ml higher or 2 pounds more for those who had vitamin D levels that were 20ng/ml higher. Additionally, the higher the initial vitamin D level, the more abdominal fat the participants lost.
Your vitamin D level must be measured by a simple blood test. Next time you go to your doctor, request that he or she check your levels. If your levels are not appropriate, ask your doctor about taking a supplement. There are two forms of vitamin D (D2 and D3). The best supplement for you to take is vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). You can purchase vitamin D3 at almost any place that sells vitamins.