Vitamin D Deficiency May Impair Muscle Function in Older Adults, Study Finds

A study in the Journal of Endocrinology found insufficient levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream may impair muscle function, particularly in older adults, by reducing energy production, reports United Press International . Experiments on mice revealed that those with vitamin D deficiency saw a roughly 40 percent decline in mitochondrial function in their muscles, possibly affecting their ability to convert energy from food and limiting muscle performance and recovery. The implication is that preventing vitamin D deficiency in older adults could help maintain muscle strength and function and mitigate age-related muscle deterioration, although additional research is required. "We are particularly interested to examine whether this reduction in mitochondrial function may be a cause of age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass and function," said Andrew Philp at Australia's Garvan Institute of Medical Research.