Effect of vitamin D monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community‐dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background Vitamin D supplementation is proposed as a potentially effective nutritional intervention to mitigate the risk of sarcopenia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation monotherapy on indices of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. Methods A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared the effect of vitamin D supplementation (as monotherapy) with placebo on indices of sarcopenia in older (>50 years) adults. Using the random effects inverse-variance model, we calculated the mean difference (MD) in handgrip strength (HGS), short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed up and go (TUG), and appendicular lean mass (ALM) between groups. We also calculated the standardized mean difference (SMD) in general muscle strength and general physical performance (composite plot of all muscle strength and physical performance outcomes, respectively) between groups. Results Ten RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. A significant decrease in SPPB scores was observed with vitamin D supplementation compared with placebo (MD: À0.23; 95% CI À0.40 to À0.06; I 2 = 0%; P = 0.007). Vitamin D supplementation conferred no effect on HGS (MD: À0.07 kg; 95% CI À0.70 to 0.55; I 2 = 51%, P = 0.82), TUG (MD: 0.07 s; 95% CI À0.08 to 0.22; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.35), ALM (MD: 0.06 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI: À0.32 to 0.44; I 2 = 73%, P = 0.77), general muscle strength (SMD: À0.01; 95% CI À0.17 to 0.15; I 2 = 42%, P = 0.90), or general physical performance (SMD: À0.02; 95% CI À0.23 to 0.18; I 2 = 71%, P = 0.83). Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation did not improve any sarcopenia indices in community-dwelling older adults and may compromise some aspects of physical performance. Future studies are warranted to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on individual indices of SPPB, including mobility and balance, in older adults.

The Effect of Leucine Supplementation on Sarcopenia-Related Measures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 17 Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Pfeifer et al reported that vitamin D could improve muscle mass in the elderly (53), but some researchers reported no significant improvement in muscle mass or strength by vitamin D (54,55). Moreover, a meta-analysis of the effect of vitamin D monotherapy on sarcopenia showed that vitamin D supplementation had no effect on muscle mass (appendicular lean mass) and muscle strength (handgrip strength) and muscle performance parameters except SPPB (56). The leucinecombined supplementation including vitamin D might be more effective than leucine-or vitamin D-isolated supplements.…”

The effect of dietary supplements on frailty in older persons: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…It has been shown in the past that a number of dietary supplements may prevent or lessen severe symptoms. A diet rich in protein benefits health, aids in the recovery of sick people, and maintains functional status in elderly people (Prokopidis et al, 2022a). An efficient method for improving muscle growth and strength as well as overall physical performance in older persons is the combination of resistance training and post-exercise protein supplementation (Khor et al, 2022;Velasco et al, 2022).…”

The Relationship Between Vitamin D and Activity of Daily Living in the Elderly

“…9 There are systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials raised that vitamin D supplementation has a small positive impact on muscle strength, 10 even vitamin D supplementation did not improve any sarcopenia indices in community-dwelling older adults and may compromise some aspects of physical performance. 11 However, a lack of clinically compelling evidence linking to muscle mass and even muscle metabolism and a lack of consensus on the pathological serum level and supplements of vitamin D on the muscle aspects still exist.…”