Vitamin Deficiency Associated with Increased Fat Deposition

By CP Staff

A new study evaluated the potential correlation between levels of a specific vitamin and adiposity (fat deposition) and metabolic characteristics that are associated with obesity. Currently, it is estimated that 67 percent of adults in the United States are overweight, and 34 percent are classified as obese. Obesity increases the risk of the metabolic syndrome and numerous diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer.

In this new study, investigators analyzed serum levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in healthy adults. The subjects were also evaluated for the volumes of subcutaneous adipose tissue (fat beneath the skin) and visceral adipose tissue (fat surrounding the abdominal organs) using computed tomography (CT).

The results showed that lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were associated with increased waist circumference and serum insulin levels. Lower levels of vitamin D were also associated with the winter season, as vitamin D requires sunlight for production in the body. Furthermore, the researchers found that decreased levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlated with an increase in both the volumes of subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue. In fact, 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was three-fold higher in subjects with high levels of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue compared to the subjects with low amounts of subcutaneous and visceral fat.

The study authors stated, “Vitamin D status is strongly associated with variation in subcutaneous and especially visceral adiposity. The mechanisms by which adiposity promotes vitamin D deficiency warrant further study.”

Reference:

Cheng S, Massaro JM, Fox CS, Larson MG, Keyes MJ, McCabe EL, Robins SJ, O\'Donnell CJ, Hoffmann U, Jacques PF, Booth SL, Vasan RS, Wolf M, Wang TJ. Adiposity, cardiometabolic risk, and vitamin D status: the Framingham heart study. Diabetes. 2010 Jan;59(1):242-8.