Vitamin D and muscle health: insights from recent studies

The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the effects of vitamin D on muscle mass and physical/muscle function in middle-aged and older adults, based on recent human studies, including cross-sectional, observational, and intervention studies. Vitamin D, beyond its well established role in bone health, has shown potential in influencing muscle physiology, making it a nutrient of interest in the context of sarcopenia and related chronic conditions.

The review states how vitamin D affects muscle function, emphasizing its role in muscle cell proliferation, differentiation, and key signaling pathways. Additionally, the review of recent human studies revealed an inconsistent relationship between vitamin D and sarcopenia and related indices, with mixed results regarding muscle mass and strength. Variability in supplementation dose, duration, and baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may contribute to these inconsistencies.

While animal studies indicate vitamin D's effectiveness in muscle growth, cross-sectional, observational, and intervention studies do not show clear benefits of maintaining efficient vitamin D levels on muscle mass or function in humans. Although vitamin D impacts muscle health, it is insufficient alone, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to sarcopenia prevention and management.