Vitamin D + exercise
Vitamin D + exercise has been studied in 5 papers since 2017: 2 trials in people, 3 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 24, 2026: “Effects of Exercise Combined With Vitamin D Interventions on Glucose-Lipid Metabolism and Obesity in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”.
5 papers study it11 findingsUpdated
“The training caused the significant decrease in concentration of pro-inflammatory proteins HMGB1 (30 ± 156%; 90% CI) and IL-6 (-10 ± 66%; 90% CI) in MVD group.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport and 2 more
- Human trial2
Studies in people
1 study gave vitamin D + exercise to people and measured what changed.
down: Decreases HMGB1
down: Decreases IL-6
up: Increases leucine20% lower in the LVD group
Randomized trial27 peoplewomen67 ± 8 years old12 weeks
Elderly women recruited from volunteers participating in health promotion programs
Biogerontology, Mar 18, 2017
What did studies of Vitamin D + exercise find?
7Studies of Vitamin D + exercise measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are HbA1c (1 study), leucine (1) and IL-6 (1).
HbA1c
upin humans1downin humans1
1 study
HbA1c
upin humans1downin humans1
Vitamin D + exercise improves HbA1c in humans.
“Subgroup analysis comparing combined and single interventions indicated that the Ex-VD group had a greater effect on HbA1c, FBG, TC, and TG compared to single intervention alone.”
Reviewin patients with T2DM
Nutrition reviews
Vitamin D + exercise decreases HbA1c in humans (P = .01).
“compared to the control group, the Ex-VD group had significantly reduced BMI (P < .01), HbA1c (P = .01), FBG (P < .01)”
Reviewin patients with T2DM
Nutrition reviews
Leucine
upin humans1+20% lower in lvd group
1 study
Leucine
upin humans1+20% lower in lvd group
Vitamin D + exercise increases leucine in humans (20% lower in the LVD group).
“Although the applied NW training program combined with vitamin D supplementation caused the leucine level to rise, a comparison of the recorded response between groups and the adjusted effect indicated that the effect of the intervention was 20% lower in the LVD group.”
Human trial12 weeksfemalesn = 27
Biogerontology
Vitamin D + exercise increases leucine in humans (20% lower in LVD group).
“Although the intervention caused the leucine level to rise, a comparison of the recorded response between groups and the adjusted effect indicated that the effect was 20% lower in the LVD group.”
Human trialserum12 weeksfemalesn = 27
Biogerontology
IL-6
downin humans1
1 study
IL-6
downin humans1
Vitamin D + exercise decreases IL-6 in humans.
“A similar tendency of change was noted in the pleiotropic cytokine IL-6 concentration.”
Human trial12 weeks
Biogerontology
Vitamin D + exercise decreases IL-6 in humans (-10 ± 66% (90% CI)).
“The training caused the significant decrease in concentration of pro-inflammatory proteins HMGB1 (30 ± 156%; 90% CI) and IL-6 (-10 ± 66%; 90% CI) in MVD group.”
Human trialin MVD group (baseline vitamin D > 20 ng/mL)Nordic Walking 1 h combined with vitamin D supplementationserum12 weeksfemalesn = 27
Biogerontology
HMGB1
downin humans1
1 study
HMGB1
downin humans1
Vitamin D + exercise decreases HMGB1 in humans.
“At the same time, a significant drop in the pro-inflammatory protein HMGB1 was recorded in the MVD participants.”
Human trial12 weeks
Biogerontology
Vitamin D + exercise decreases HMGB1 in humans (-30 ± 156% (90% CI)).
“The training caused the significant decrease in concentration of pro-inflammatory proteins HMGB1 (30 ± 156%; 90% CI) and IL-6 (-10 ± 66%; 90% CI) in MVD group.”
Human trialin MVD group (baseline vitamin D > 20 ng/mL)Nordic Walking 1 h combined with vitamin D supplementationserum12 weeksfemalesn = 27
Biogerontology
Total cholesterol
downin humans1
1 study
Total cholesterol
downin humans1
Vitamin D + exercise decreases total cholesterol in humans (P < .01).
“compared to the control group, the Ex-VD group had significantly reduced BMI (P < .01), HbA1c (P = .01), FBG (P < .01), TC (P < .01)”
Reviewin patients with T2DM
Nutrition reviews
BMI
downin humans1
1 study
BMI
downin humans1
Vitamin D + exercise decreases BMI in humans (P < .01).
“compared to the control group, the Ex-VD group had significantly reduced BMI (P < .01)”
Reviewin patients with T2DM
Nutrition reviews
Cognitive function
upin reviews1
1 study
Cognitive function
upin reviews1
Vitamin D + exercise improves cognitive function.
“Some animal studies demonstrated enhanced neuroprotection and cognitive improvement with combined interventions.”
Reviewcombined interventions in animal studies
Frontiers in nutrition