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Benefit Of Vitamin D In Diabetes And Other Chronic
Diseases
Vitamin D is quickly becoming the "it" nutrient with
health benefits for diseases, including cancer,
osteoporosis, heart disease and now diabetes.
A recent review article published by researchers
from Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School
of Nursing concluded that adequate intake of vitamin D
may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and reduce
complications for those who have already been
diagnosed. These findings appeared in the latest issue
of Diabetes Educator.
"Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health
and certain chronic diseases in particular," said Sue
Penckofer, Ph.D., R.N., study co-author and professor,
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of
Nursing. "This article further substantiates the role
of this nutrient in the prevention and management of
glucose intolerance and diabetes."
Many of the 23 million Americans with diabetes have
low vitamin D levels. Evidence suggests that vitamin D
plays an integral role in insulin sensitivity and
secretion. Vitamin D deficiency results in part from
poor nutrition, which is one of the most challenging
issues for people with diabetes. Another culprit is
reduced exposure to sunlight, which is common during
cold weather months when days are shorter and more time
is spent indoors.
One study examined for this review article evaluated
3,000 people with type 1 diabetes and found a decreased
risk in disease for people who took vitamin D
supplements. Observational studies of people with type
2 diabetes also revealed that supplementation may be
important in the prevention of this disease.
"Management of vitamin D deficiency may be a simple
and cost-effective method to improve blood sugar
control and prevent the serious complications
associated with diabetes," said Joanne Kouba, Ph.D.,
R.D., L.D.N., study co-author and clinical assistant
professor of dietetics, Loyola University Chicago
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
Diet alone may not be sufficient to manage vitamin D
levels. A combination of adequate dietary intake of
vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, and treatment with
vitamin D2 or D3 supplements can decrease the risk of
diabetes and related health concerns. The preferred
range in the body is 30 - 60 ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin
D.
"People at risk for diabetes should be screened for
low vitamin D levels," said Mary Ann Emanuele, M.D.,
F.A.C.P., study co-author and professor of medicine,
division of endocrinology and metabolism, Loyola
University Health System. "This will allow health care
professionals to identify a nutrient deficiency early
on and intervene to improve the long term health of
these individuals."
Vitamin D deficiency also may be associated with
hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and
heart disease. In fact, Penckofer recently published
another study in Circulation that reported on the role
of chronic vitamin D deficiency in heart disease. The
Circulation study authors included Glen W. Sizemore,
MD, emeritus professor of Medicine, Division of
Endocrinology and Metabolism, Loyola University Chicago
Stritch School of Medicine, and Diane E. Wallis, MD,
Midwest Heart Specialists, Downers Grove, Ill.
Source: Nora Plunkett
Loyola
University Health System
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