Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

As we age, maintaining muscle health is vital for staying active, independent, and mobile. However, a natural decline in muscle mass and strength as people age, can increase the risk of falls, frailty, and reduce quality of life. The aging population, seniors aged 65 and older, are a growing proportion of the population in Canada. Among all provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest proportion of seniors in the country, with nearly one in four residents in this age group. Recent research suggests that vitamin D, often called the "sunshine vitamin," may play a key role in muscle health. Vitamin D helps muscle function by regulating calcium absorption, an essential mineral. It also supports the growth and repair of muscle tissue, which is especially important for preventing muscle mass loss as we get older. Many Canadians, particularly those in northern regions, might be at risk of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency due to limited sunlight exposure in the winter, as sun exposure can stimulate vitamin D production in the body. In Newfoundland and Labrador, located at a high latitude of approximately 53°N, long winters and reduced UV radiation make it difficult to produce enough vitamin D naturally in the body. These environmental conditions combined with the region's growing aging population may place many residents at risk of poor muscle health. This study aims to understand the link between vitamin D status and muscle health in adults aged 40 and older in Newfoundland and Labrador. By improving our understanding, we can help create strategies to improve muscle health in older adults and support healthy aging. This might include encouraging vitamin D intake through diet, supplements, or safe sun exposure to help older adults maintain their muscle health independence and quality of life.