NEWS YOU CAN USE: Meta-study: Vitamin D supplementation boosts muscle strength.

“Vitamin D3 supplementation improves upper and lower limb muscle strength in a healthy, adult, athletic and non-athletic population between the ages of 18 and 40”, the Brits write. “Nevertheless, the evidence was based on a restricted total number of included studies, suggesting that further, randomized controlled trials should establish optimal dosing regimen, control for gender differences and consider effects in larger athletic populations. There is a need for further investigation into muscular power and endurance with vitamin D supplementation.”

“Research has suggested that it may be necessary to increase serum concentrations above the optimal concentrations (>50 nmol/L (20 ng/ml)) of vitamin D in order to suitably improve muscle strength. Although all of the studies used managed to increase their subjects serum levels to adequate concentrations, none reported ‘optimal’ levels.”