The Risks of Being Vitamin D Deficient as an Athlete
11/2018
By Joel Totoro, RD
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, given that our primary source of this vitamin is exposure to the sun. Nevertheless, it is estimated that as much as 88% of the population receives less than the optimal amount of vitamin D. (1)
The ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases as we age – by as much as 75%.
And, given that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, individuals who carry an excess amount of body fat can risk up to 55% of their vitamin D becoming trapped in fat cells and not available in the bloodstream. (2)
We often wrongly assume that athletes, because they train outdoors, receive enough sunlight to achieve their vitamin D needs. Although time in the sun is a significant factor, the sun is often not strong enough to meet vitamin D needs, even when the athlete spends seemingly adequate time in the sun.
In addition, skin pigmentation and sunscreen use can limit vitamin D production.
Besides the skin, only the eyes are the body’s other organ directly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, the use of sunglasses, hats, helmets, and clothing can limit vitamin D production, even when time in the sun seems adequate.
Although it has already been established that athletes can be at risk for suboptimal vitamin D production, and the role of the vitamin in promoting normal health is well known, current research suggests that vitamin D might be of great interest to those athletes who have performance goals in mind.
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, given that our primary source of this vitamin is exposure to the sun. Nevertheless, it is estimated that as much as 88% of the population receives less than the optimal amount of vitamin D. (1)
The ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases as we age – by as much as 75%.
And, given that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, individuals who carry an excess amount of body fat can risk up to 55% of their vitamin D becoming trapped in fat cells and not available in the bloodstream. (2)
We often wrongly assume that athletes, because they train outdoors, receive enough sunlight to achieve their vitamin D needs. Although time in the sun is a significant factor, the sun is often not strong enough to meet vitamin D needs, even when the athlete spends seemingly adequate time in the sun.
In addition, skin pigmentation and sunscreen use can limit vitamin D production.
Besides the skin, only the eyes are the body’s other organ directly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, the use of sunglasses, hats, helmets, and clothing can limit vitamin D production, even when time in the sun seems adequate.
Although it has already been established that athletes can be at risk for suboptimal vitamin D production, and the role of the vitamin in promoting normal health is well known, current research suggests that vitamin D might be of great interest to those athletes who have performance goals in mind.
References
https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/965862
By Joel Totoro, RD
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, given that our primary source of this vitamin is exposure to the sun. Nevertheless, it is estimated that as much as 88% of the population receives less than the optimal amount of vitamin D. (1)
The ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases as we age – by as much as 75%.
And, given that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, individuals who carry an excess amount of body fat can risk up to 55% of their vitamin D becoming trapped in fat cells and not available in the bloodstream. (2)
We often wrongly assume that athletes, because they train outdoors, receive enough sunlight to achieve their vitamin D needs. Although time in the sun is a significant factor, the sun is often not strong enough to meet vitamin D needs, even when the athlete spends seemingly adequate time in the sun.
In addition, skin pigmentation and sunscreen use can limit vitamin D production.
Besides the skin, only the eyes are the body’s other organ directly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, the use of sunglasses, hats, helmets, and clothing can limit vitamin D production, even when time in the sun seems adequate.
Although it has already been established that athletes can be at risk for suboptimal vitamin D production, and the role of the vitamin in promoting normal health is well known, current research suggests that vitamin D might be of great interest to those athletes who have performance goals in mind.
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, given that our primary source of this vitamin is exposure to the sun. Nevertheless, it is estimated that as much as 88% of the population receives less than the optimal amount of vitamin D. (1)
The ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases as we age – by as much as 75%.
And, given that vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, individuals who carry an excess amount of body fat can risk up to 55% of their vitamin D becoming trapped in fat cells and not available in the bloodstream. (2)
We often wrongly assume that athletes, because they train outdoors, receive enough sunlight to achieve their vitamin D needs. Although time in the sun is a significant factor, the sun is often not strong enough to meet vitamin D needs, even when the athlete spends seemingly adequate time in the sun.
In addition, skin pigmentation and sunscreen use can limit vitamin D production.
Besides the skin, only the eyes are the body’s other organ directly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, the use of sunglasses, hats, helmets, and clothing can limit vitamin D production, even when time in the sun seems adequate.
Although it has already been established that athletes can be at risk for suboptimal vitamin D production, and the role of the vitamin in promoting normal health is well known, current research suggests that vitamin D might be of great interest to those athletes who have performance goals in mind.
References
- Bendik I, Friedel A, Roos F, et al. Vitamin D: a critical and essential micronutrient for human health. Front Physiol 2014;5:248. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00248
- National Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D – Fact Sheet for Health Professionalshttps://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ [accessed May 20, 2018]
- Larson-Meyer D, Willis K. Vitamin D and athletes.Curr Sports Med Rep 2010;9(4):220-226.
- Holick M. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007;357(3):266-281.
- Halliday T, Peterson N, Thomas J, et al. Vitamin D status relative to diet, lifestyle, injury, and illness in college athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc2011;43(2):335-343.
- Backx E, Tieland M, Maase K, et al. The impact of 1-year vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in athletes: a dose-response study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016;70(9):1009-1014.
- Close G, Russell J, Cobley J, et al. Assessment of vitamin D concentration in non-supplemented professional athletes and healthy adults during the winter months in the UK: implications for skeletal muscle function. J Sports Sci 2013;31(4):344-353.
- Barker T, Schneider E, Dixon B, et al. Supplemental vitamin D enhances the recovery in peak isometric force shortly after intense exercise. Nutr Metab2013;10:69.
- Ruohola J, Laaksi I, Ylikomi T, et al. Association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and bone stress fractures in Finnish young men.J Bone Miner Res 2006;21(9):1483-1488.
- Lappe J, Cullen D, Haynatzki G, et al. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation decreases incidence of stress fractures in female Navy recruits.J Bone Miner Res 2008;23(5):741-749.
- Maroon J, Mathyssek C, Bost J, et al. Vitamin D profile in National Football League players. Am J Sports Med 2015;43(5):1241-1245.
- He C, Handzlik M, Fraser W, et al. Influence of vitamin D status on respiratory infection incidence and immune function during four months of winter training in endurance sport athletes. Exerc Immunol Rev2013;19:86-101.
https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/965862
