Vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing diabetes

The benefits of vitamin D in promoting bone health are already well known. A new study in Brazil suggests that vitamin D could also promote greater sensitivity to insulin, thus lowering glucose levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Results are published online today. hui in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Other recent studies have shown a clear relationship between vitamin D and glycemic control, suggesting that vitamin D increases sensitivity to insulin and improves pancreatic beta cell function. In this cross-sectional study of 680 Brazilian women aged 35 to 74, the goal was to badess the possible link between vitamin D deficiency and increased blood sugar.

Of the women surveyed, 24 (3.5%) reported using vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D supplementation was negatively badociated with high glucose levels. The usual sun exposure also provided the same badociation, demonstrating that vitamin D deficiencies are badociated with high blood sugar levels.

The results of the study appear in the article "Higher serum vitamin D levels are badociated with lower blood glucose levels".

"Although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven, low levels of vitamin D could play an important role in type 2 diabetes," said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of NAMS. "Vitamin D supplementation may help improve glycemic control, but intervention studies are still needed."

Provided by
The North American menopausal society