ICMR-NIN study shows Vitamin D3 outperforms D2 in supporting muscles and heart

The Hindu reports on a study conducted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, which found that vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 in supporting muscle and heart function in animal studies. Vitamin D is known for its role in maintaining bone health and regulating calcium levels, but it also plays an important role in the functioning of skeletal muscles and the heart.

The researchers conducted experiments on weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats, feeding them diets containing vitamin D2, vitamin D3, a combination of both, or a vitamin D-deficient diet. The study showed that rats receiving vitamin D3 had greater improvements in muscle mass, muscle fibre size, and grip strength compared to those given vitamin D2.

Vitamin D3 was also more effective in enhancing biological markers associated with muscle growth and energy metabolism. In terms of heart health, vitamin D3 produced stronger effects on indicators of cardiac contractility and metabolism, especially in rats recovering from vitamin D deficiency. The study's corresponding author, Dr. Ayesha Ismail, noted that while both forms of vitamin D improved calcium-related parameters, vitamin D2 was less effective in several measures related to muscle and heart structure and energy metabolism.

ICMR-NIN Director Bharati Kulkarni stated that the findings suggest vitamin D3 may be a better option for maintaining and restoring muscle and cardiac functions, but cautioned that further studies are needed to better understand the effects of the two forms of vitamin D and their implications for supplementation and food fortification programmes.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.