The link between Vitamin D, body composition, andexercise : Focus on vitamins, minerals, and inflammatory markers

Exercise is widely recognized for its beneficial effects on human health. This pilot study aimed to explore the physiological effects of short-term bodyweight exercise intervention on inflammatory marker (CRP), vitamin and mineral levels, gene expression and body composition in healthy adults. The study involved four healthy adult participants who performed different bodyweight exercises five times per week for four consecutive weeks. Blood sampling was done to analyze key biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamins including Vitamin D, B12, folate and several minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphate, iron, sodium, potassium, and chloride both before and after intervention. Body composition and blood pressure were also examined on both pre- and post-timelines. Moreover, gene expression of vitamin D receptors, VDR, and PDIA3, was measured using qPCR. Whereas GAPDH and B2M were selected as reference genes. CRP levels slightly increased, vitamins including vitamin D and B12 have shown a subtle rise in trend whereas Folate levels decreased without statistical significance. Similarly, Minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphate, chloride, and potassium have shown an increasing trend whereas sodium and iron levels showed a downward trend. Gene expression of VDR and PDIA3 were downregulated post-exercise intervention. In summary, changes pre- and post-four weeks of exercise intervention were not statistically significant whereas the fluctuating trends of body composition parameters, vitamins, minerals, and systemic inflammation (CRP) biomarkers reveal potentially interesting physiological and molecular adaptations in response to short-term exercise intervention. These findings emphasize the need for further investigation incorporating a large sample size and longer intervention periods to validate these findings.