Overview Obesity and Vitamin D

• FACT: People who are obese have less vitamin D in their blood
• FACT: Obese need a higher dose of vitamin D to get to the same level of vit D
• FACT: When obese people lose weight the vitamin D level in their blood increases
• FACT: Adding Calcium, perhaps in the form of fortified milk, often reduces weight
• FACT: 204 trials for vitamin D intervention of obesity as of April 2025
• FACT: Less weight gain by senior women with > 30 ng of vitamin D
• FACT: Dieters lost additional 5 lbs if vitamin D supplementation got them above 32 ng - RCT
• FACT: Obese lost 3X more weight by adding $10 of Vitamin D
• FACT: Those with darker skins were more likely to be obese Sept 2014
• OBSERVATION: Low Vitamin D while pregnancy ==> more obese child and adult
• OBSERVATION: Many mammals had evolved to add fat and vitamin D in the autumn
  • and lose both in the Spring - unfortunately humans have forgotten to lose the fat in the Spring
• SPECULATION: Low vitamin D might be one of the causes of obesity – several studies
• SUGGESTION: Probably need more than 4,000 IU to lose weight if very low on vitamin D due to
    risk factors such as overweight, age, dark skin, live far from equator,shut-in, etc.
• Obesity category has 450 items

See also: Weight loss and Vitamin D - many studies   Child Obesity and Vitamin D - many studies   Obesity, Virus, and Vitamin D - many studies
Obese need more Vitamin D

• Normal weight     Obese     (50 ng = 125 nanomole)

Click here for 2014 study

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Vitamin D results in fastest Obese weight loss, and about 3X more pounds -2019

Obesity is associated with low Vitamin D (and treated by D as well) – Aug 2019 has the following
Fast weight loss by Obese Adults: Summary of the data as of Sept 2019
1) 50,000 IU Vitamin D weekly for at least 6 months
   If gut problems, should use a gut-friendly form of vitamin D
2) Add calorie restriction diet and light exercise after ~2 months*
   * Vitamin D levels must be above 30ng/ml to help with weight loss
   * Start losing weight 2 months sooner if take a 50,000 IU daily for a week
3) More weight loss if also add Magnesium or cofactors
   30% Improved Vitamin D response with Magnesium - a Vitamin D Cofactor
   Note: Magnesium reduces weight loss by itself as well
   20% improved vitamin D response if also add Omega-3 a Vitamin D Cofactor
  Note: Omega-3 reduces weight loss by itself as well
4) More weight loss if also improve activation of Vitamin D Receptor
   Vitamin D Receptor activator: 0-30% improved Vitamin D response
   Obesity 1.5 X more likely if poor Vitamin D Receptor – meta-analysis Nov 2019
Update Dec 2019 - Dr. Greger plant-based eating (not diet) for both weight loss and health.
  His book does not mention Vitamin D nor Adenovirus

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Noteworthy Obesity pages - Oct 2019 - Nov 2024

• 40% of weight loss from GLP-1 is from muscle loss (not so if lose weight with Vitamin D) - Nov 2024
• Obesity and Vitamin D research in 23 years: 6144 studies, 123 countries, 28156 authors – July 2024
• Obese children have poor vitamin D genes (CYP27A1, CYP2R1, CYP27B1) – March 2024
• Predictors of low vitamin D: race, age, and BMI (confirmed now by Machine Learning) – Feb 2024
• Vitamin D supplementation helps after obesity treatment - Dec 2023
• Fat accumulates in legs or arms if low vitamin D - Jan 2024
• Morbid Obesity is associated with low Vitamin D around the globe - meta-analysis Dec 2023
• Low vitamin D might be one of the causes of obesity – several studies
• Obesity decreases BOTH Vitamin D levels and Vitamin D Receptor activation – Oct 2023
• Weight loss and Vitamin D - many studies
• Vitamin D restricts new capillary growth (angiogenesis) in fat and cancers
• Obesity of 9,000 US adults: DEXA said 72% were obese, BMI said 42% were obese – June 2023
• Bariatric Surgery and Vitamin D - many studies
• Childhood BMI decreased when add a little Vitamin D – meta-analysis March 2023
• Increased obesity risk in child if low vitamin D while pregnant - Feb 2023
• Child Obesity and Vitamin D - many studies
• Obesity, Virus, and Vitamin D - many studies
• Vitamin D reduces BMI and waist circumference – umbrella meta-analysis – Sept 2022
• Vitamin D may need Calcium to fight obesity – Aug 2022
• Magnesium in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes - Jan 2021
• High-Dose Vitamin D puts surplus calories into muscles instead of fat (mice) – May 2022
• Response to Vitamin D varies with genes (3,000 IU, weight loss in this RCT) – March 2022
• How obesity reduces the ability of vitamin D to fight health problems such as COVID - Nov 2021
• Slow fetal growth if mother was obese and had low vitamin D (40 ng is good) – Oct 2021
• Sarcopenia with obesity is more likely if dark skin, diabetes, OR COPD (all associated with low vitamin D)
• Parathyroid response to Vitamin D among obese
• Weight loss on low-calorie diet: 7 lbs more lost if got lots of Vitamin D – June 2021
• Need 3X more Vitamin D (or take semi-activated vitamin D) if have poor gut – small RCT May 2021
• Overweight elderly respond well to 3600 IU Vitamin D daily for a year – RCT May 2021
• Obese get less benefit from vaccines: influenza, hepatitis B, rabies and now COVID-19 - March 2021
• More Magnesium needed by obese (Mg Sulfate, women in this case) – RCT Dec 2021
• Low vitamin D is a risk factor for obesity in adults and elderly - Review Jan 2021
• Teens more obese if lower Vitamin D as infant (1.3 more BMI points per 10 ng) – Oct 2020
• Vitamin D concentration in fat is 12X that in blood – March 2008
• Obese taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D weekly lost more weight (again) – RCT Dec 2019

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See also VitaminDWiki and weight loss due to vitamins and/or Calcium/Milk

• Adequate Vitamin D Levels May Aid Weight Loss in Obese Patients – Minn. 2009 widely reported on
• Women can lose weight with vitamin D - Nov 2010 2000 IU
• 600 mg dairy resulted in 12 pound loss in 2 years – Nov 2010 with graph
• More calcium and vitamin D resulted in weight loss – Sept 2010
• How Calcium might help reduce obesity – June 2010 technical
• Calcium and vitamin D aided weight loss – RCT Sept 2010 intervention - but abstract does not say how much was used
• Now we know why vitamin D is not advertised for weight loss it was patented
• Weight loss and vitamin D – SkinnyASP 2010 also has a 2 minute video
• DAIRY vitamin D and weight loss - 2010 PDF
• Vitamin D and Weight Loss and Obesity – March 2010
• Vitamins To Speed Up Metabolism And Aid Weight Loss – May 2011
  • Only increased vitamin D level from 20 ng to 33 ng. Cannot expect much improvement at this level of vitamin D
• 32 ng vitamin D and 500 mg of Calcium helped reduce weight by 5.6 kg – Sept 2010 intervention
• Adding Calcium and Vitamin D does not consistently reduce obesity – May 2012
• Weight reduction review – Vitamin D and Calcium may help – July 2011
  No indication of how much vitamin D; it has the following graphic

Clinical trials of Obese or Overweight and Vitamin D INTERVENTION 204 trials listed as of April 2025

Clinical trials database

• Obese children: monthly 200,000 IU vs daily 6,400 IU
• Vitamin D, Diet and Activity Study (ViDA) 2000 IU
• Vitamin D Supplementation in Obesity and Weight Loss (3DD Study) 4000 IU
• Vitamin D Supplementation Requirement in Obese Subjects 4000 IU
• The Effect of Weight on Vitamin D Dose Response 10,000 IU
• Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplementation in Obese Children 6,000 IU - Study completion Nov 2019
• Good results from a clinical trial reported Sept 2010

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See also VitaminDWiki and weight loss due to vitamin D and Magnesium

• Weight loss and Vitamin D, Calcium, and Magnesium, etc
  There is a lot of synergy/interaction between these nutrients in the body
  There has been a very large decrease in both Magnesium and Vitamin D in bodies during the past 40 years
  There has been a significant increase in obesity in the past 40 years
  Wonder if there has been any weight loss study using all three of the supplements
• Magnesium and Vitamin D - similar, different and synergistic
• Magnesium Deficiency Reduces Vitamin D Effectiveness- Sept 2011
• Obesity epidemic since 1975 Vit D, Mag, Iodine, ? ?

Obesity is a VERY COMPLEX topic

(chart is no-longer online)

 

Overview of Deficiency at VitaminDWiki includes Obesity vicious circles

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Obesity issue of Life Extension Magazine – Oct 2010 - identified 27 correctable obesity-inducers,

many of which relate to vitamin D,
Leptin

• Leptin Clinical trial – 4,000 IU
• Vitamin D and Leptin 2008
• Dodging Weight Gain with Vitamin D The absence of vitamin D creates interference with the functioning of a hormone called leptin]
• New Revelations Support Diet and Exercise to Reverse Leptin Resistance, Thereby Promoting a Healthy Weight Mercola Oct 2012
• How to Reduce Leptin #6 is vitamin D
  73 records in PubMed for Leptin and Vitamin D, Such as Association of leptin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and parathyroid hormone in women 2009
• Dr. Sircus Aug 2011 long article
  increased leptin ==> decreased Magnesium ==> increased inflammation and obesity

Cortisol

• Leptin Resistance Syndrome - mentions vitamin D, cortisol
• Virginia Hokins Health watch: Cortisol and the Stress Connection

Thyroid

• Perhaps thyroid and vitamin D in a vicious circle – 2003
• Another thyroid and vitamin D vicious circle article unknown date

Cholesterol

• Overview Cholesterol and Vitamin D increasing cholesterol INCREASES longevity
• All items in Cholesterol and vitamin D 52 items
• Statins and vitamin D
• Vitamin D bioavailability is associated with cholesterol – Jan 2011
• Eating less cholesterol is harmless other than it causes of vitamin D deficiency – June 2011
  • "The great cholesterol myth; unfortunate consequences of Brown and Goldstein's mistake."

Insomnia

• Vitamin D Deficiency and Insomnia – Nov 2008
• MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH: Calciferol (Vitamin D3) cures Insomnia unknown date
• Vitamin D and Insomnia. From January to May, I get many calls from people struggling with sleep. – Mar 2010
• Know the Importance of Taking Enough Magnesium with Your Vitamin D – July 2010

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Epidemic of obesity started same time as many other epidemics,
all of which are associated with low vitamin D: 30-40 years ago

Extrapolation >45% in the USA, >30% in Australia by 2025

(figure is from http://www.iuns.org/features/obesity/tabfig.htm)

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US Obesity increased after Food guidelines were changed - Mercola

BMI increase 1980-2008 (nothing about vitamin D) - 2015

Washington Post interactive graphic Aug 2015

Black line = US BMI increase
From 1980 to 2008, the average BMI for men rose in all but eight countries; the average for women rose in all but 19. Globally, nearly 10 percent of men and nearly 14 percent of women are obese, meaning their BMI is 30 or more. In some countries, particularly in the Pacific Islands, obese is average. Countries with a high average BMI tend to have high rates of diabetes, and vice versa.

decrease in vitamin D with increasing BMI

2 nanograms/ml less vitamin D for every in 5 kg/m**2 increase in BMI

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Obesity is a Global epidemic

• China now had the largest number of overweight and obese people
  • "There are about 200 million obese adults in China along with 400 million Chinese who are overweight."
• WHO 1995 200 million increased in just 5 years to 300 million
• International Obesity Task Force 1000 million overweight in 2010 and 475 million obese
• The Global Obesity Epidemic - Feb 2010 has the following graph from OECD - showing ALL countries increasing

• OECD a line graph

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Institute of Medicine issued a report: Obesity in America - May 2012

They did not seem to even mention the possibility of vitamin D
click thumbnail to see their tall infographic

• Diabetes 32X more likely if obese and vitamin D deficient – July 2012
  Based on NHANES data of 5800 people
  Obese & high level of vitamin D: 20X more likely to have diabetes than the study population

Increased Calorie consumption over the decades

from Graphs.net - no reference is given for the data

Increased vitamin D-binding protein and decreased free 25(OH)D in obese women of reproductive age - 2013

European Journal of Nutrition, April 2013; 320 vs 266;

Mexico takes title of "most obese" from America CBS News July 2013

About 70 % of Mexican adults are overweight, a third of them very much so.
Childhood obesity tripled in a decade and about a third of teenagers are fat as well.
Experts say four of every five of those heavy kids will remain so their entire lives.

One in Five American Deaths Associated with Obesity in 2006 Mercola, Dec 2013

2006 study with BMI > 25; Percent of Deaths associated with being overweight
Black women: 27 %    White women: 22 %    White men: 16 %    Black men: 5 %
Vitamin D along with Vitamin K are listed as possible solutions for reducing weight

Should we stop calling obesity a disease? Cracking Health Care Costs, Feb 2014

The ‘disease’ designation becomes a prescription for inaction,’ from US News Magazine story on the AMA announcement

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AMA finally recommends no longer relying on BMI to determine obesity - 2023

AMA

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GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (Wegovy etc): huge market, many competitors coming, many side effects, possible other uses - April 2024

Weight-loss drugs could end the obesity epidemic. But they won’t stop there Economist April 2024

• " Sales for weight-loss drugs are estimated to hit $80bn per year by the end of the decade. "
• "Almost 100 new drugs are in the development pipeline. Most of them hope to outperform Wegovy and Mounjaro by being easier to take, causing fewer side-effects or delivering more effective weight loss."
• Reduces risk of heat attack by 20%, might help with Alzheimer's, addictions
• "Another drawback of GLP-1-based medicines is that patients do not just shed fat, they also lose lean muscle mass. "
•  Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
• Ozempic price for 1 month; $190 Denmark, $86 Germany, $82 France, $92 UK, $969 US Bloomberg April 2024
• Why Is Ozempic Making Me Nauseous? - Bloomberg April 2024
  • Bloomberg
  • "Nausea is temporary for most patients, usually starting a few weeks after starting a new dose and tapering off a few weeks later."

Emerging Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Randomised Controlled Trials - June 2023

• https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310449 FREE PDF

Impact of GLP-1 Agonists on Male Reproductive Health—A Narrative Review - Dec 2023

• Agonists might increase fertility of obese https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010050 FREE PDF

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BMI - what is wrong with it NY Times - April 2014

Invented in early 1800's
Never meant to be a measure for individuals
Currently 18.5 = underweight; 18.5 and 24.9 = normal; 25 to 29.9 = overweight; >30 = obese.
Grade 1 =30 - 34.9; Grade 2= 35 - 39.9; Grade 3 > 40
At best, though, B.M.I. is a crude measure that actually misses more than half of people with excess body fat,
It measures total body weight, not just fat. When Arnold Schwarzenegger was Mr. Universe, his B.M.I. was well in the obese range
Article mentions, and appears use the contents of a new book The Obesity Paradox: When Thinner Means Sicker and Heavier Means Healthier Amazon March 2014

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Obesity costs the global economy as much as war and terrorism, totalling $2 TRILLION each year Nov 2014

• $2,000,000,000,000 per year in 2030
• A report commissioned by McKinsey&Company, which studied 44 different ways of combating obesity
• No country in the world reduced its obesity prevalence between 2000 and 2013.

Details on VitaminDWiki at Obesity analysis by McKinsey (Excellent - even though no vitamin D) - Nov 2014
which has an excellent table of cost-effectiveness and proof of ways to reduce obesity

Obesity Gene (FTO) was not a problem for people born before WWII NYT Jan 2014

First discovered in 2007. Confirmed many times since then.
Each copy of the FTO variant adds 3.5 pounds. 2 copies ==> 7.0 lbs
So, they think that environment (exercise) turns on/off genetics
Addional possibilites include:

• decreased Vitamin D,
• decreased Magnesium,
• Increased antibiotics - which started just after WWII

BMI in Profile

98% of severely obese had low levels of vitamin D - June 2015

• Vitamin D status is a determinant of skeletal muscle mass in obesity according to body fat June 2015
  Those with high BMI but with more skeletal muscle mass had higher levels of vitamin D
  Publisher wants $32 for the PDF

Health problems associated with excess weight

Seems that most problems are also associated with low vitamin D
http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-excess-weight-affects-your-health.htm does not mention vitamin D

Following Bariatric Surgery for obesity - special supplementation concerns

• Vitalady FAQ snips
  "What is available out there for those of us who can’t take a vitamin ‘pill’ because it seems to get stuck in our pouch?"
  "Since A, D & E are fat solubles and we are now malabsorbing fats ‘n oils to a degree, it would do us no good to take these in soft-gel (oil filled) forms. They need to be taken in DRY form."

The more obese the man, the sooner he will die - 2016

nothing about Vitamin D
Obesity is three times as deadly for men than women Telegraph July 2016
Compared to healthy size

• Obese people will die 3 years sooner
• Overweight people will die 1 year sooner

Death of men before age 70
20% if healthy weight
33% if moderately obese
80% of morbidly obese.

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8 of the top 10 obese countries are Muslim From WikiIslam, the online resource on Islam - 2017

Apparently from The Economist magazine’s world rankings of Obesity 2011
Muslim women often wear clothing which blocks most sun/vitamin D

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Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity

More Than 10 % of World’s Population Is Obese (195 countries)
The word VITAMIN does not occur once in the study
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

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A UK region no longer will provide surgery to smokers or very obese (BMI>40) - Oct 2017

No surgery for smokers or the obese: Policy in UK stirs debate Oct 2017

• Hertfordshire, which has population of more than 1.1. million.
• The time frame for improving health is set at nine months for the obese in particular; those with a body mass index over 40 must reduce the number by 15% over that time period, and those with a BMI over 30 are given a target of 10%.
• The target for smokers is eight weeks or more without a cigarette — with a breath test to prove it.

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Being Overweight/Obese become the new norm, fewer people are trying to lose weight - 2017

Change in Percentages of Adults With Overweight or Obesity Trying to Lose Weight, 1988-2014 - JAMA March 2017_

	1988	1991	2009
Obese/Overweight	53 %	62%	66 %
Try to reduce	56 %	47%	49%

Has details by male/female, race (Nothing about Vitamin D)
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

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CDC US Obesity maps 1994, 2015

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Associations of Obesity category to: Intervention 33, Diabetes 32, Infant-Child 27, Youth 23, Skin - Dark 20, Metabolic Syndrome 19, Virus 18, Vitamin D Receptor 15, Genetics 15, Calcium 15, Pregnancy 14, Omega-3 13, Magnesium 11, Intervention - non daily 10, Liver 9, How much Vitamin D 9, Probiotics 8, Sports 7, Deficiency 7, etc.

Cancer 6, Hypertension 6, Seniors 6, Cardiovascular 6, Women 5, Loading Dose 4, Vit D Binding Protein 4, Breathing 4, Bone - Health 4, Gut 4, Predict Vitamin D 4    as of Sept 2022   click button to see the details