Effects of daily 1,000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake on skeletal muscle mass, power, physical function and nutrition status in Japanese

An intervention study was conducted to investigate the effects of daily 1,000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake on skeletal muscle mass, power, physical function and nutrition status in 26 healthy people and 8 older adults living in a nursing home. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level was 13.4 ± 0.8 ng / mL and it markedly increased to 29.6 ± 0.9 ng / mL after daily 1000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake for 6 months. Handgrip strength (kg) also significantly increased in the 21-50 years and total groups, and male subjects, and the timed up and go test significantly improved in the 21-50 years and total groups, and female subjects after 6-month vitamin D intake. However, there were no significant differences between baseline and post-treatment in the Barthel Index (BI), walking speed (m / sec) or skeletal muscle mass (kg, % of BW, kg / m2). Therefore, the present study suggested that vitamin D-fortified milk intake is effective at improving muscle strength and physical function in Japanese, although further studies are needed, particularly for older adults.