Millions of people worldwide are striving to lose weight every day. If you’re one of them, you might have a specific reason to shed those pounds or even be following a particular diet. However, there’s a small addition you can make to your daily routine that can significantly enhance the health benefits associated with weight loss – supplemental vitamin D.
Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that taking supplemental vitamin D while trying to lose weight can drastically reduce inflammation levels in your body. This decrease in inflammation can be crucial for your immune system, making the difference between falling victim to illnesses such as cancer and enjoying a long, healthy life.
As researcher Catherine Duggan says, “We know from our previous studies that by losing weight, people can reduce their overall levels of inflammation, and there is some evidence suggesting that taking vitamin D supplements can have a similar effect if one has insufficient levels of the nutrient.” However, there is a catch.
Significant Inflammation Reduction
For vitamin D to have a genuinely significant impact on inflammation reduction, you need to lose at least 5% of your body weight. For example, a 180-pound woman would need to lose a mere 9 pounds for vitamin D to provide its most potent anti-inflammatory effect.
When considering the potential health benefits, this is not such a significant undertaking. During the Hutchinson study, participants took a daily dose of 2,000 IU of vitamin D over a year while also decreasing their calorie intake and exercising for 45 minutes, five days a week. Those who lost 5% or more of their body weight and took vitamin D more than doubled their reduction in inflammation compared to merely losing weight.
“Weight loss reduces inflammation, and thus represents another mechanism for reducing cancer risk,” explains Duggan. “If ensuring that vitamin D levels are replete, or at an optimum level, can decrease inflammation over and above that of weight loss alone, that can be an important addition to the tools people can use to reduce their cancer risk.”
Additional Benefits of Vitamin D
Even if you’re not attempting to lose weight, taking vitamin D can offer a myriad of other potential benefits, such as better protection against lung issues, lowering your heart disease risk, and maintaining a healthy brain. Living a healthy lifestyle means there’s no good reason not to ensure you receive enough vitamin D.
Furthermore, researchers have discovered a little secret to increasing the impact of vitamin D – consuming blueberries at the same time. Studies have shown that the natural chemicals found in blueberries can enhance the immune benefits of vitamin D, which is why many people snack on a handful of berries when taking their supplements.
The Importance of Vitamin D
Though easily overlooked, vitamin D is crucial for maintaining a healthy body and immune system. In combination with weight loss, it can minimize inflammation levels and reduce the risk of deadly diseases such as cancer. With a plethora of other potential advantages, including improved lung and heart health and better cognitive function, it’s essential to prioritize vitamin D intake.
Gaining sufficient levels of this crucial nutrient can be as simple as spending time outdoors to absorb sunlight, adding vitamin D-rich foods to your diet, or taking the appropriate supplements. Pair it with a healthy diet and regular exercise, and you’ll be well on your way to a better quality of life.
