The Claim

In humans undergoing 20 weeks of supervised resistance training, increases in muscle VDR mRNA expression are associated with gains in lean body mass, but not with changes in strength or plasma vitamin D levels, suggesting that VDR expression may serve as a biomarker of hypertrophic response independent of vitamin D status.

Source: Overexpression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
44score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

When people do supervised weight training for 20 weeks, their muscles make more of a protein called VDR—and that’s linked to gaining more muscle mass, but not to getting stronger or having more vitamin D in their blood. So VDR might be a sign that muscle growth is happening, even if vitamin D levels don’t change.

See the scientific wording

In humans undergoing 20 weeks of supervised resistance training, increases in muscle VDR mRNA expression are associated with gains in lean body mass, but not with changes in strength or plasma vitamin D levels, suggesting VDR expression may serve as a biomarker of hypertrophic response independent of vitamin D status.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Overexpression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) induces skeletal muscle hypertrophy

    When people lifted weights for 20 weeks, their muscles made more of a protein called VDR, and that meant their muscles got bigger — even if their vitamin D levels didn’t change. So VDR might be a sign your muscles are growing, not your vitamin D.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.