A profile of body composition, omega-3 and vitamin D in National Football League players

Low vitamin D levels are linked with increased cardiovascular disease risk in young adults: a sub-study and secondary analyses from the ACTIBATE randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Vitamin D deficiency is related to metabolic disturbances. Indeed, a poor vitamin D status has been usually detected in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between vitamin D and CVD risk factors in young adults remains controversial at present. This study aimed to examine the association between circulating 25-hydroxivitamin D (25(OH)D) and CVD risk factors in young adults.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study included a cohort of 177 young adults aged 18-25 years old (65% women). 25(OH)D serum concentrations were assessed using a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. Fasting CVD risk factors (i.e., body composition, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, liver, and inflammatory markers) were determined by routine methods. A panel of 63 oxylipins and endocannabinoids (eCBs) was also analyzed by targeted metabolomics.

RESULTS

Circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with a wide range of CVD risk factors including anthropometrical (all P ≤ 0.005), body composition (all P ≤ 0.038), glucose metabolism (all P ≤ 0.029), lipid profile (all P < 0.035), liver (all P ≤ 0.011), and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (all P ≤ 0.030). No associations of serum 25(OH)D concentrations were found with pro-inflammatory markers (all P ≥ 0.104), omega-6 and omega-3 oxylipins, nor eCBs concentrations or their analogs (all P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present findings support the idea that 25(OH)D could be a useful predictor of CVD risk in young individuals.

Five-Year Surveillance of Vitamin D Levels in NCAA Division I Football Players: Risk Factors for Failed Supplementation

Background

Monitoring vitamin D levels in athletes and determining their response to supplementation in cases of deficiency is thought to be necessary to modulate the risks associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Hypothesis/Purpose

To report the results of a 5-year-long surveillance program of vitamin D in the serum of football players on a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I team and to examine whether factors including age, body mass index (BMI), race, position played, and supplement type would affect the response to 12-month oral vitamin D replacement therapy in athletes with deficiency. We hypothesized that yearly measurements would decrease the proportion of athletes with vitamin D insufficiency over the years and that the aforementioned factors would affect the response to the supplementation therapy.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

We measured serum 25(OH)D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in 272 NCAA Division I football players from our institution annually between 2012 and 2017. Athletes with insufficient vitamin D levels (<32 ng/mL) received supplementation with vitamin D3 alone or combined vitamin D3/D2. The percentage of insufficient cases between the first 2 years and last 2 years of the program was compared, and yearly team averages of vitamin D levels were calculated. Associations between player parameters (age, BMI, race, team position, supplement type) and failed supplementation were evaluated.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency decreased significantly during the study period, from 55.5% in 2012-2013 to 30.7% in 2016-2017 (P = .033). The mean 25(OH)D level in 2012 was 36.3 ng/mL, and this increased to 40.5 ng/mL in 2017 (P < .001); however, this increase was not steady over the study period. Non-Hispanic athletes and quarterbacks had the highest average 25(OH)D levels, and Black players and running backs had the lowest overall levels. There were no significant differences in age, BMI, race, or playing position between athletes with and without failed vitamin D supplementation. Athletes receiving vitamin D3 alone had a more successful rate of conversion (48.15%) than those receiving combined vitamin D3/D2 (22.22%; P = .034).

Conclusion

To decrease the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in football players, serum vitamin D measurements should be performed at least once a year, and oral supplementation therapy should be provided in cases of deficiency. Black players might be at increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Oral vitamin D3 may be more effective in restoring vitamin D levels than combined vitamin D3/D2 therapy.

The Benefits of Vitamin D Supplementation for Athletes: Better Performance and Reduced Risk of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is having major economic and personal consequences for collegiate and professional sports. Sporting events have been canceled or postponed, and even when baseball and basketball seasons resumed in the United States recently, no fans were in attendance. As play resumed, several players developed COVID-19, disrupting some of the schedules. A hypothesis now under scientific consideration is that taking vitamin supplements to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations could quickly reduce the risk and/or severity of COVID-19. Several mechanisms have been identified through which vitamin D could reduce the risks of infection and severity, death, and long-haul effects of COVID-19: (1) inducing production of cathelicidin and defensins to reduce the survival and replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; (2) reducing inflammation and the production of proinflammatory cytokines and risk of the “cytokine storm” that damages the epithelial layer of the lungs, heart, vascular system, and other organs; and (3) increasing production of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, thus limiting the amount of angiotensin II available to the virus to cause damage. Clinical trials have confirmed that vitamin D supplementation reduces risk of acute respiratory tract infections, and approximately 30 observational studies have shown that incidence, severity, and death from COVID-19 are inversely correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Vitamin D supplementation is already familiar to many athletes and sports teams because it improves athletic performance and increases playing longevity. Thus, athletes should consider vitamin D supplementation to serve as an additional means by which to reduce risk of COVID-19 and its consequences.