At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What is the Connection Between Vitamin D and Weight Gain?
Some health experts believe that there might be a connection between Vitamin D and weight gain. People who do not get enough Vitamin D also have low levels of leptin, which is an essential brain hormone. Leptin is directly linked to one's appetite and metabolism. Thus, those who have a low leptin level often suffer from an increased appetite and a sluggish metabolism resulting in weight gain.
Vitamin D is naturally derived from sunlight. When sunlight begins to fade during winter months, many people begin to gain weight due to a lack of sunshine. Various studies have shown that people with a low level of Vitamin D tend to be overweight. There are various ways to combat a lack of Vitamin D including a change in one's diet and spending time outside throughout the year. Vitamin D supplements can also help some people maintain a healthy amount of leptin. People who choose to take a Vitamin D supplement should not take more than 2,000 IU (International Units) per day. It is also a wise idea to speak with a medical doctor prior to starting a Vitamin D supplement regimen.
Taking a Vitamin D supplement does not necessarily result in weight loss. Even though Vitamin D and weight gain are linked, various other factors impact weight loss. Combining a Vitamin D supplement with a healthy diet and regular exercise may result in weight loss. It is a common misconception that Vitamin D cannot be gained through sunlight during the winter months. The truth of the matter is that spending a short amount of time outside during the winter months, 20 minutes or more, can result in a fair amount of Vitamin D absorption. People who live in warm climates should attempt to spend time outside as much as possible.
A lack of Vitamin D may also cause depression in some people. A number of mental health professionals believe that a lack of Vitamin D may trigger acute depression. As with Vitamin D and weight gain, taking a Vitamin D supplement may help some people cope with depression. Prior to taking a Vitamin D supplement in order to combat depression, it is wise to seek proper mental health attention.
When purchasing Vitamin D supplements, make sure to buy these vitamins from a reputable retailer. Vitamin D supplements can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Since some supplements are not regulated, it is important to choose a brand that is recommended by one's medical doctor. Vitamin D and weight gain do go hand-in-hand, but there are many different ways to combat this problem. Speak with a doctor, find out if Vitamin D supplements are a good option, and take the time to understand the connection between Vitamin D and weight gain.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Vitamin D supplements.]()
By: Mara ZemgalieteVitamin D supplements. -
![A lack of vitamin D may cause weight gain.]()
By: KzenonA lack of vitamin D may cause weight gain. -
![People with low levels of leptin may experience a sluggish metabolism.]()
By: cunaplusPeople with low levels of leptin may experience a sluggish metabolism. -
![Lack of Vitamin D often causes depression.]()
By: djtaylorLack of Vitamin D often causes depression.
Discussion Comments
For the obese, this is a dangerously and deadly wrong recommendation to limit D3 supplementation to only 2,000IU a day.
10,000-30,000IU/day is needed by OBESE just for maintenance after getting above a 40ng/ml or 100nmol/L REPLETE blood level. Getting to that replete level takes repeated enormous dosages, up to 100,000IU/day for up to a solid couple of weeks.
Obese, Elders and Melanated Ethnicities (all CovidComorbidities!) are all dying from the all too common low D levels when we get infected with Covid and sometimes even just the flu. All these high-numbered populations easily suffer the deepest of D-deficiencies because of fat-storage, skin-melanation or inability to absorb D through normal UVB-skin processing due to high age.
Harriette Halepis, our author, appears to be perfectly fine with the millions who are dying because of her misinformed recommendation! Thinfolk need far less than the obese, and healthy Thin Youngers outside in Summer-UVB need none, but all thin people still can safely benefit from 5,000-10,000IU/day in no-UVB Winter and other times of insufficient or no-UVB access!
Elders, like obese (and all types of sickly), need D supplementation year round.
Fauci?
6,000IU/day in Summer
8,000IU/day in no-UVB Winter.
(But no focus on D when vaccines must be sold?)
You want to make sure you get plenty of calcium in addition to the Vitamin D. These two ingredients work together to help the body burn fat. You also want to eat plenty of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. These also help control weight.
There are plenty of vitamins and nutrients that help with weight control. I don't think you can just sit around and not exercise and expect to eat these foods and have the weight simply fall away, but eating healthy is a very very important factor when you're trying to control your weight and get healthy.
I have been reading about Vitamin D3 and Vitamin D3 supplements lately. Some scientists and researchers say that this could be the best thing we have at the moment for helping us stay healthy as a whole. I don't necessarily believe everything I read about the positive effects of Vitamin D3, but if even half of it is true then I think we all should be taking some.
Supposedly, the lack of Vitamin D3 can cause back pain, cancer, vision problems, problems with our immune systems and even more things I can't remember.
The article talks about Vitamin D and how vitamin D deficiency can affect a person's mood. Along the same line, depression whether caused by a physical or emotional reason often leads to extreme weight loss or extreme weight gain.
When people are depressed they can be so drained to the point they can't get out of bed, so they are skipping meals, or they can go in the other direction and begin to eat and eat to deal with the depression. When this is the case maybe getting more Vitamin D could help deal with the depression and the weight gain at the same time.
Post your comments