Vitamin D sufficiency and its relationship with muscle health across the menopausal transition and aging: Finnish cohorts of middle-aged women and older women and men

Abstract

Finland’s national vitamin D fortification policy has significantly improved the population’s vitamin D sufficiency. This study investigates the association between serum vitamin D concentration and muscle health, considering the impact of menopause and aging in Finnish cohorts. The study comprised two cohorts: 237 middle-aged women (aged 47–55 years) from the Estrogenic Regulation of Muscle Apoptosis (ERMA) study and its follow-up, and 908 older adults (aged 75, 80, and 85 years) from the Active Aging (AGNES) study. Vitamin D concentration was assessed through serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, alongside measurements of muscle mass and function. High concentrations of 25(OH)D were observed across both cohorts, aligning with Finland’s fortification efforts. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found between 25(OH)D concentrations and indicators of muscle mass or function in either age group. Notably, middle-aged women in menopausal transition exhibited a slight increase in 25(OH)D concentrations, yet this did not translate into improved muscle outcomes. Similarly, older adults demonstrated sufficient 25(OH)D concentrations without a corresponding enhancement in muscle health. The findings indicate that, within the context of Finland’s vitamin D fortification program, serum 25(OH)D sufficiency does not directly correlate with better muscle mass or function among middle-aged and older Finnish populations. These results suggest a need for a broader approach to sarcopenia prevention, incorporating factors beyond vitamin D sufficiency. Further research is warranted to explore the multifactorial nature of muscle health during aging and the menopausal transition, to develop targeted interventions for sarcopenia prevention.