Vitamin D supplementation and sarcopenia

INTERVENTION: In this randomized, controlled, double blind study, participants are randomized (using the simple randomization method) to receive either a supplement of 10,000 IU of cholecalciferol (Euro‐Pharm International, Canada) or a placebo tablet (containing microcrystalline cellulose: 66.3%, starch: 33.2%, magnesium stearate: 0.5%, per serving ) to be taken three times per week for a period of six months. The participants are seen after six months of supplementation with vitamin D or placebo, and followed up by phone calls at three months. CONDITION: Sarcopenia and Vitamin D Deficiency ; Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine ; Sarcopenia and Vitamin D Deficiency PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Handgrip strength is measured using the Martin vigorimeter (Martin; Elmed, Addison, IL, USA), at baseline and 6 months.; 2. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass is measured using bioimpedance analysis measurements (Tanita BC‐418 Segmental Body Composition Analyzer, Illinois, USA) at baseline and 6 months.; 3. 25 (OH)D levels are measured using radioimmunoassay (DiaSorin, Stillwater, MN) at baseline and 6 months SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Weight is measured using the body composition analyzer (Tanita BC‐418 Segmental Body Composition Analyzer, Illinois, USA) at baseline and 6 months; 2. BMI is calculated using the standard formula (body weight in kilograms divided by square of body height in meters). at baseline and 6 months; 3. Waist circumference is measured at the iliac crest at baseline and 6 months; 4. Fat Mass is measured using the body composition analyzer (Tanita BC‐418 Segmental Body Composition Analyzer, Illinois, USA) at baseline and 6 months; 5. PTH is measured using a two‐site immunoradiometric assay with an NH2‐terminal monoclonal antibody as capture (Fitzgerald Industries International Inc., USA), at baseline and 6 months; 6. Serum creatinine is measured using the Jaffe kineticalkaline picrate reaction (Interpretation and Techniques, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia), at baseline and 6 months INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Sarcopenic 2. Deficient in vitamin D 3. No medical history of type‐2 diabetes 4. Age range of participants: 71‐77