Middle-aged men with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have poor muscle mass and strength, causing frailty, claims a new study. Frailty is the gradual loss of energy, strength and physical capability that can come with ageing and often leads to dependency, disability and death. The findings showed that having lower levels of vitamin D, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) were associated with a higher risk of frailty. \u201cWith the ageing population, frailty-related problems present an increasing challenge to healthcare systems worldwide,\u201d said lead author Agnieszka Swiecicka, research student at the University of Manchester. <\/p>\n
\u201cVitamin D, besides maintaining bone health, regulates muscle function and low vitamin D levels are linked to lower muscle mass and strength. IGF-1 affects muscle growth and repair and its action and levels are modified by its carrier protein IGFBP3,\u201d Swiecicka added. The results were presented at the Endocrine Society\u2019s 99th annual meeting ENDO 2017 in Orlando. Further, men with low levels of anabolic hormone \u2014 muscle- and bone-building hormone \u2014 were found to have higher levels of frailty. In addition, elderly men with lower levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) \u2014 which has direct anabolic effect on muscle mass \u2014 were linked to a higher likelihood of worsening frailty. \u201cWe showed novel associations between anabolic hormone levels and changes in frailty levels in ageing men, which could enable early identification of at-risk individuals and the development of new treatments and prevention strategies,\u201d Swiecicka said. However, \u201cthis does not establish cause, and clinical trials will be required to find out if giving these hormones to middle-age and elderly men could prevent the development of frailty,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
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