Increased intakes of vitamin D are associated with a big reduction in the risk of diabetes, according to new research.Researchers from Tufts Medical Center and Carney Hospital in Massachusetts also report that people with the highest blood levels of vitamin D, measured as more than 25 nanograms per milliliter, had a 43 percent lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes than people with the lowest blood levels (less than 14 ng/ml).
Vitamin D deficiency has previously been linked to impaired insulin secretion in animals and humans, and has also been linked to insulin resistance in healthy, glucose-tolerant subjects.
Vitamin D deficiency in adults appears to lead to or worsen osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases. There is also some evidence that having higher serum levels of the vitamin may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer and type-1 diabetes.
“Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review”
Authors: J. Mitri, M.D. Muraru, A.G. Pittas European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
