Vitamin D and muscle health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

Published online May 3, 2021. doi: 10.1210 / jendso / bvab048.571

Commentary

Due to inconsistent data on muscle function and the effects of vitamin D, this study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on muscle health.

Systematic studies of randomized controlled trials published through October 2020 in Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematics Reviews, Embase, and GoogleScholar reviewed studies of participants treated with vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 supplementation and placebo, with or without concurrent calcium supplementation.

In addition, all studies were included regardless of dosage form or population excluding athletes.

The predefined endpoints were.

Grip

Elbow flexion

Elbow extension

These were the maximum muscle strength measured.

Knee flexion

Knee extension

These physical performances were reported as Timed Up and Go Test, Chair Rising Test(s), 6-minute walk (m), and standard physical performance battery (points).

And muscle mass expressed as total lean body mass (kg) was included.

A total of 51 randomized controlled trials with 7798 participants were included, of which 14 studies included participants with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l).

These analyses revealed a significant negative effect of vitamin D supplementation on knee flexion strength, with a mean difference of -3.3 N, 95% CI.