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Vitamin D and Exercise Activates the Anabolic Compound IGF-1

February 17, 2017 - Admin

Intense training increases the activity of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). IGF-1 is a highly anabolic substance that works in concert with growth hormone. Hormone researchers and physicians gauge growth hormone metabolism by levels and changes in IGF-1. Rachel Darr from Saginaw Valley State University in Buffalo, New York, and co-workers, found that supplementing vitamin D (4,000 IU per day for 28 days) to exercising college students who did stretching, aerobics and lifted weights increased a type of IGF-1 called IGFBP3 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3), which promoted delivery of IGF-1 to the tissues. Vitamin D supplements plus exercise promote muscle growth and adaptation. (Growth Hormone & IGF1 Research, 30-31: 45-51, 2016)