Co-treatment with Vitamin D Supplementation and Aerobic Training in Elderly Women with Vit D Deficiency and NAFLD: A Single-blind Controlled Trial

Lifestyle intervention is considered first-line therapy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFL).

Here, we aimed to compare the effect of combined Aerobic Training (AT) and Vitamin D (Vit D) supplementation on NAFLD in elderly women with Vit D deficiency.

We recruited 40 women (60 - 65 years) with NAFLD (second or third grade) and Vit D deficiency. Then, using simple randomization, the subjects were assigned to four groups including aerobic training (AT; 60% - 75%, 20 - 40 min/day, 3 days/wk running and walking), vitamin D supplementation (Vit D; 50,000 IU one day/week), aerobic training plus vitamin D supplementation (AT + Vit D), and sedentary control (C; placebo). The data were analyzed using paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test with SPSS21 at a significance level of P < 0.05.

After eight weeks of intervention, fatty liver grade markedly reduced in the AT + Vit D, AT, and Vit D groups (60%, 38.88%, and 22% respectively). However, it increased by 17.60% in the control group. The combination of AT + Vit D significantly reduced liver enzymes, anthropometric indices, and glycemic indices and improved lipid profile. All groups demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between vitamin D and fatty liver grade.

A sedentary lifestyle and Vit D deficiency accelerate the NAFLD probably by deteriorating hepatic risk factors. Additionally, adequate levels of plasma vitamin D are necessary to achieve the beneficial metabolic effects of aerobic training.