Vitamin D & Winter: Exercise for Better Levels
- New research indicates that regular, moderate exercise can definitely help maintain crucial vitamin D levels during winter, even without weight loss or supplements.
- The study found that individuals with overweight or obesity who participated in a 10-week indoor exercise program during the winter experienced significantly smaller decreases in vitamin D levels...
- The exercise program consisted of four weekly sessions: two treadmill walks, a longer steady-state bike ride, and a high-intensity interval bike session.
Exercise is key to maintaining crucial vitamin D levels during winter. Research published in Advanced Science demonstrates that regular, moderate exercise, even without weight loss or supplements, considerably mitigates the decline in vitamin D.This study reveals that a 10-week indoor exercise program preserved the body’s active form of vitamin D, vital for bone health and immune function. Participants engaged in a program including treadmill walks, steady-state bike rides, and high-intensity interval bike sessions, which showed tangible benefits. This is the first study showing exercise alone can protect against the winter dip in vitamin D. This news, reported by News Directory 3, highlights a compelling link between physical activity and well-being. Discover what’s next.
Exercise Helps Maintain Vitamin D Levels During Winter Months
Updated May 30, 2025
New research indicates that regular, moderate exercise can definitely help maintain crucial vitamin D levels during winter, even without weight loss or supplements. The study, published in advanced Science, comes from researchers at the University of Bath, University of Birmingham, university of Cambridge, and other institutions.
The study found that individuals with overweight or obesity who participated in a 10-week indoor exercise program during the winter experienced significantly smaller decreases in vitamin D levels compared to those who did not exercise. Body weight was deliberately kept constant throughout the study.
The exercise program consisted of four weekly sessions: two treadmill walks, a longer steady-state bike ride, and a high-intensity interval bike session. Researchers focused on how exercise boosts vitamin D in its active form.
notably, exercise wholly preserved the body’s active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D₃), which is vital for bone health, the immune system, and various organ functions. Prior research suggests that vitamin D supplements alone may not effectively maintain this active form.
This is the first study to show that exercise alone can protect against the winter dip in vitamin D. It’s a powerful reminder that we still have lots to learn about how exercise benefits our health.
The study,conducted between October and April to minimize sunlight’s influence on vitamin D production,also instructed participants to avoid supplements. Those who exercised saw a smaller drop in overall vitamin D levels, about 15%, compared to a 25% drop in the non-exercising group. Crucially, the exercising group maintained healthy levels of the active form of vitamin D, while levels in the non-exercising group fell by 15%.
What’s next
Researchers plan to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which exercise helps preserve vitamin D levels and explore the potential benefits of different exercise modalities.