은하수
Reporter Kim Ji-hye's story
Schematic diagram of the mechanism by which vitamin D intake prevents sarcopenia. Photo courtesy of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
A study found that older adults who consume sufficient amounts of vitamin D can prevent sarcopenia to a similar degree as those who exercise.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute of Health confirmed through animal testing Vitamin D's effect on improving sarcopenia in the elderly The results of the study were published in the latest issue of the international academic journal 'Life Sciences', it was announced on the 19th.
The research team administered vitamin D to 18-month-old mice for four months, and confirmed that muscle mass and strength remained normal. In contrast, aged mice not administered vitamin D had significantly lower blood vitamin D levels and exhibited sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia is a disease in which muscle mass, strength, and function abnormally decrease with age, causing disability, diabetes, metabolic diseases, and other geriatric diseases.
Regular exercise is effective in preventing and treating sarcopenia. Exercise stimulates the release of muscle hormones called myokines, which not only improve muscle function but also regulate metabolism and alleviate inflammation in the brain, liver, and fat.
As we age, the amount of apelin (a peptide composed of 77 amino acids) and its receptors among myokines decreases rapidly, and the research team discovered for the first time that vitamin D increases the blood concentration of apelin and the expression of its receptors.
In other words, supplementing with vitamin D can slow cellular aging in muscle tissue and increase muscle protein synthesis, preventing muscle loss. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency explained that vitamin D's effects on muscle function are similar to those achieved through exercise. This means that even elderly individuals who struggle with exercise can achieve similar benefits from vitamin D.
Park Hyun-young, director of the National Institute of Health, said, "This study directly revealed the mechanism of preventing sarcopenia through vitamin D intake in the elderly," and added, "We will be able to improve healthy life expectancy by preventing sarcopenia through sufficient vitamin D intake."
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To prevent sarcopenia in old age
I really need to take vitamin D.
There is no sunshine today
There is no sign of it coming out,
On days like this, I need to take care of myself with nutritional supplements and eating habits.
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