---
title: Recent Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Explores the Role of Vitamin D and Aerobic Training in Type 2 Diabetes
description: Vitamin D and aerobic training, tested in an 8-week trial of men with type 2 diabetes, together produced the largest improvements in inflammatory markers.
image: https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/archive/friblog_5.jpg
---

An **educational publication of Designs for Health**

[For Practitioners →](https://www.designsforhealth.com)

[![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)](https://www.casi.org/)

[Home](https://www.casi.org/) [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update) [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education) [Archive](https://www.casi.org/articles/all)

Search articles

Search

Science Update

# Recent Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Explores the Role of Vitamin D and Aerobic Training in Type 2 Diabetes

CA Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT Aug 30, 2022

![Recent Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Explores the Role of Vitamin D and Aerobic Training in Type 2 Diabetes](https://www.casi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/casi/archive/friblog_5.jpg?width=960)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an endocrine disorder that is [increasingly common](https://www.dynamed.com/condition/diabetes-mellitus-type-2-in-adults#WHO_IS_MOST_AFFECTED) among adults. T2DM has been associated with [chronic inflammation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) and oxidative stress. Certain lifestyle interventions have been shown to help support [metabolic health](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/), a healthy response to inflammation, and antioxidative status. Deficiencies in [vitamin D status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) have also been linked to T2DM. [Hypovitaminosis D](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) is believed to influence intracellular calcium levels and the function of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), which can impact insulin secretion. 

A recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial published by [Hoseini and colleagues](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) explored the potential supportive role of aerobic training and supplementation with vitamin D in individuals with T2DM. The study lasted for 8 weeks and involved 48 men between 35 and 50 years of age. There were four groups: (1) aerobic training (AT) plus vitamin D, (2) AT plus the placebo, (3) vitamin D only, and (4) controls plus the placebo. AT consisted of aerobic exercise for 20 to 40 minutes at 60% to 75% heart rate maximum at a frequency of three sessions per week. Vitamin D supplementation involved 50,000 IU once per week for 8 weeks. Biomarkers assessed included inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and markers related to antioxidative status, glucose metabolism, and vitamin D status. 

Excluding the group receiving the control plus the placebo, all groups receiving an intervention (either AT, vitamin D, or combined) showed improvements in biomarkers related to [antioxidative status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/), including total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. All treatment arms also showed improvements in [inflammatory markers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/), including high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). Improvements in markers related to [glucose metabolism](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) were also observed, including fasting blood glucose and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).  

The treatment arm involving the combination of both AT and vitamin D reflected the largest improvements in inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alph, and [NF-κB](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/). [The authors](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/) postulated that both AT and vitamin D may act on the body through different physiologic mechanisms and influence multiple downstream targets.  

Drawbacks to the study include a relatively small sample size, demographic homogeneity among participants, and treatment period length. [Study strengths](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35733163/), as reported by the authors, included a low dropout rate and involved randomization and a control.  

Although more research is needed, the study by Hoseini and colleagues suggests that supplementation with vitamin D and aerobic training may support metabolic health. Certain lifestyle changes and support of healthy nutrient levels may promote healthy glucose metabolism and antioxidative status.  

On this page

Share

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-randomized-placebo-controlled-trial-explores-the-role-of-vitamin-d-and-aerobic-training-in-type-2-diabe) [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-randomized-placebo-controlled-trial-explores-the-role-of-vitamin-d-and-aerobic-training-in-type-2-diabe&text=Recent+Randomized%2C+Placebo-Controlled+Trial+Explores+the+Role+of+Vitamin+D+and+Aerobic+Training+in+Type+2+Diabetes) [Email](mailto:?subject=Recent%20Randomized%2C%20Placebo-Controlled%20Trial%20Explores%20the%20Role%20of%20Vitamin%20D%20and%20Aerobic%20Training%20in%20Type%202%20Diabetes&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.casi.org%2Farticles%2Frecent-randomized-placebo-controlled-trial-explores-the-role-of-vitamin-d-and-aerobic-training-in-type-2-diabe)

CA

### Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT

Clinical Application

## Clinical Considerations in Practice

 In clinical practice, practitioners considering the topics discussed above may also weigh nutrient form, delivery and formulation, alongside individual patient variability.

### Practitioner Formulation Example

![Liposomal D Supreme](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lemtscrs/production-www/996ec523def52f1c8e4ca395911d4843df848054-2000x2000.png?w=128&h=128&fit=max&auto=format)

Liposomal D Supreme

Liposomal vitamins D3, K1, and K2 · Liquid

[Explore Formulations →](https://www.designsforhealth.com/products/liposomal-d-supreme)

## Continue your research

#### [Science Update A Case Series on an Allulose-Containing Gummy in Healthy Adults Monitored by Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sep 09, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/a-case-series-on-an-allulose-containing-gummy-in-healthy-adults-monitored-by-continuous-glucose-monitoring)

#### [Research & Education PCOS Is Now PMOS: Understanding the New Terminology and Its Metabolic Implications Jun 11, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/pcos-is-now-pmos-understanding-the-new-terminology-and-its-metabolic-implications)

#### [Research & Education How Akkermansia Supports GLP-1 Production and Metabolic Function May 27, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/akkermansia-supports-glp-1-production-metabolic-function)

#### [Research & Education Allulose: A Rare Sugar That Supports Postprandial Glycemic Control and Metabolic Flexibility Mar 05, 2026](https://www.casi.org/articles/allulose-postprandial-glycemic-control-metabolic-flexibility)

![casilogoresize2-2](https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png)

An educational publication of [**Designs for Health**](https://www.designsforhealth.com). Peer-reviewed nutrition science, free for everyone.

#### Sections

- [Science Update](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/science-update)
- [Research & Education](https://www.casi.org/articles/tag/research-education)

#### Terms & Conditions

- [Privacy Notice](https://www.designsforhealth.com/privacy-notice)
- [Terms of Use](https://www.designsforhealth.com/terms-of-use)

CASI.org © 2026 All rights reserved

 Do not sell my personal information 

Built with care · Peer-reviewed since 1996

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/",
    "name" : "Home",
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.casi.org/articles",
    "name" : "The CASI Library",
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "name" : "Recent Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Explores the Role of Vitamin D and Aerobic Training in Type 2 Diabetes",
    "position" : 3
  } ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/recent-randomized-placebo-controlled-trial-explores-the-role-of-vitamin-d-and-aerobic-training-in-type-2-diabe",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-17"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Cory Ambrose, ND, MAT",
    "url" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/author/cory-ambrose-nd-mat"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2022-08-30T12:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Recent Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Explores the Role of Vitamin D and Aerobic Training in Type 2 Diabetes",
  "image" : [ "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casi/archive/friblog_5.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.casi.org/articles/recent-randomized-placebo-controlled-trial-explores-the-role-of-vitamin-d-and-aerobic-training-in-type-2-diabe",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.casi.org/hubfs/casilogoresize2-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "CASI.org"
  }
}
```