Exercise 'as good as supplements for vitamin D'

Regular exercise in winter can help keep Vitamin D levels up, a new study has found.

More than one in 10 adults in the UK, is thought to be lacking in the sunshine vitamin, which is needed to keep muscles and bones healthy.

The study, co-ordinated by the University of Bath, University of Cambridge and University of Birmingham, found that overweight and obese adults who took part in a 10-week indoor exercise programme had "significantly smaller drops" in vitamin D levels than those who did not exercise.

Lead author Dr Oly Perkin, from the University of Bath, said: "This is the first study to show that exercise alone can protect against the winter dip in vitamin D."

More than 50 people took part in the study, which was carried out between October and April when sunshine is scarce.

Volunteers took part in four exercise sessions per week, including two treadmill walks, a longer steady-state bike ride and a high intensity interval bike session.

Researchers found that people who exercised saw a smaller drop in their overall vitamin D levels over winter of around 15%, compared with a 25% drop in those who did not exercise.

They also found that exercise "completely preserved" the active form of vitamin D which is needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy, as well as being important for the immune system.

Dr Perkin said: "If you're worried about your vitamin D levels in the winter, keeping up regular exercise every week will help, and offer a load of health benefits that vitamin D supplements cannot.

"It's a powerful reminder that we still have lots to learn about how exercise benefits our health."

Prof Dylan Thompson, also from the University of Bath, said the findings show "exercise gives you a double benefit to your vitamin D".

"The study offers compelling evidence that exercise could be an effective winter vitamin D strategy," he said.

"Especially for those who are overweight or obese for whom vitamin D supplements are less effective."

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