VITAMIN D: WHAT SPEEDSKATERS


NEED TO KNOW! By Nanna L. Meyer, PhD, RD, CSSD, Senior Sports Dietitian USOC and Professor University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Vitamin D has many functions, rang-


ing from optimal bone health to immune, muscle, and respiratory function. Little is known about vitamin D status and per- formance in athletes; however, the po- tential eff ects are important to recognize. Vitamin D is not your regular vitamin; it actually has a steroid-like structure and functions. Vitamin D receptors can be found on all tissues. A defi ciency is likely to aff ect multiple systems. In the athlete, very few studies have been conducted that could shed light on how vitamin D defi ciency aff ects performance. However, in two recent studies low vitamin D sta- tus was associated with lower aerobic fi tness, strength, and power. Thus, it is highly probable that vitamin D defi ciency


compromises performance. Vitamin D is primarily synthesized by the skin from sunlight; in fact, dietary sources of vitamin D (e.g., salmon, milk, mushrooms), are somewhat insignifi - cant, considering the potential of sunlight to make vitamin D in large quantities in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, the ability of the skin to make vitamin D is dependent on the season (sun’s angle to the earth) and only works year-round if you live at a latitude below 35-37˚ (Tex- as, Florida, Southern California). Thus, for most of us, and especially those living at Northern latitudes, vitamin D status can drop in the winter months. In addi- tion, if you do not build up vitamin D in the summer, due to little sun exposure or


use of sunscreen, you may be at risk for year-round suboptimal vitamin D status. Low vitamin D status is widespread in the general population and athletes are no less at risk.


So, who is at risk for vitamin D defi ciency?


• Indoor sport • Winter sport • Ethnic background (e.g., Asian, African American, Native American)


• Living and training at Northern latitudes


• Sunscreen use • Limited sun exposure • Low dietary vitamin D intake


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