Abstract
We analyzed the differences in fat-free mass (FFM) according to serum vitamin D level (VitD) and daily calcium intake (Ca) in 14,444 adults aged over 19 years. We used data from the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008–2011). FFM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. VitD was classified as insufficient or sufficient (cutoff: 20 ng/mL). Ca was classified as unsatisfactory or satisfactory (recommended daily intake: 700 mg). In men, the FFM of group 2 (VitD ≥ 20 ng/mL; Ca < 700 mg), group 3 (VitD < 20 ng/mL; Ca ≥ 700 mg) and group 4 (VitD ≥ 20 ng/mL; Ca ≥ 700 mg) was 0.50 kg (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.084–0.92), 0.78 kg (95% CI, 0.26–1.29) and 1.58 kg (95% CI, 0.95–2.21) higher than that of group 1 (VitD < 20 ng/mL; Ca < 700 mg), respectively. In women, a 1 ng/mL increase in VitD was associated with a 0.023 kg increase in FFM (95% CI, 0.003–0.043) and a 1 g increase in Ca was associated with a 0.62 kg increase in FFM (95% CI, 0.067–1.16). High VitD and Ca were associated with a high FFM.
Highlights
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korea in 2014 was 75.2% in men and 82.5% in women [1] and the average daily calcium intake of individuals aged over 50 years was only 470 mg/day in 2008–2010 [2].Vitamin D and calcium levels are known to be related to body muscle mass and bone mass
In a 10-year longitudinal study, low serum calcium levels were found to reflect significant muscle loss in adults aged over 50 years and low calcium intake was significantly associated with muscle loss in women [13]
We found that high serum vitamin D level and daily calcium intake were associated with a high fat-free mass (FFM)
Summary
Vitamin D and calcium levels are known to be related to body muscle mass and bone mass. There is ample evidence on the association of serum vitamin D levels with overweight, obesity [3,4], body fat mass [5] and regulation of adipogenesis and fat metabolism [6]. Many studies have found associations of calcium intake with body weight [8], body adiposity [9] and body composition [10,11], possibly because calcium plays a significant role in the regulation of lipogenesis, lipolysis and energy metabolism [12]. In a 10-year longitudinal study, low serum calcium levels were found to reflect significant muscle loss in adults aged over 50 years and low calcium intake was significantly associated with muscle loss in women [13]
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