Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetes

Researchers in Maryland have found that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to poor diabetes control.

Vitamin D is found in foods, such as eggs, fish and fortified milk. It is also produced in the body after sun exposure. Adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for the body to absorb the essential minerals calcium and phosphorus. It is also important for immune system function and healthy bones.

The researchers analyzed data from 124 adults with type 2 diabetes from 2003 to 2008 and looked specifically at their average glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and vitamin D levels. HbA1c levels are used to measure how well diabetes is being controlled. The American Diabetes Association recommends that patients with diabetes keep their HbA1c levels below seven percent.

The researchers found that more than 91 percent of the participants were vitamin D deficient, and only eight subjects reported taking vitamin D supplements. Individuals with the lowest vitamin D levels had the highest HbA1c levels, which indicated poor diabetes control.

The researchers also noted that this association was even more pronounced among African Americans compared to Caucasians

This recent study was presented at the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society. It supports earlier findings that vitamin D may be needed for proper pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion.

However, this study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes. Additional research is needed to fully understand the potential correlation between the two conditions.

For more information about vitamin D, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

Comments

[lc]

To me, this is very interesting research and a significant finding in the diabetic world. I feel as though this research has a firm foundation under it because of the larger number of subjects included in the trial. I am excited to see more trials done regarding the association with vit D deficiency and increased blood sugar levels.

[RxCAM]

Although these results are not conclusive, it's very interesting to see that this possible link between diabetes and vitamin D has been around for many years. I hadn't heard about this before now, but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more studies in the future. In an earlier review of literature (PMID 15971062) published in 2005, they go into detail about the proposed role vitamin D plays in this interaction, and how there are receptors for vitamin D directly on the beta cells of the pancreas, and that there is a vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein that may protect beta cells from cytokine-mediated cell death.

So potentially, if vitamin D is allowing this protein to protect the insulin-producing beta cells, both type 1 and type 2 diabetics may benefit from supplementation of vitamin D. And if it is found to help, it will be very inexpensive for patients to take a vitamin daily to improve their diabetes. Very cool! I look forward to seeing further research in this area.

[Marie]

This study focused on type 2 diabetes, which is often closely tied to both the diet and exercise level of the person affected. I am curious to see if future studies can tie the correlation to vitamin D itself or the lack of sun exposure and outdoor activity, such as regular exercise, that may be lacking. Even if exercise is not lacking, we may discover that sun exposure is more important for a properly functioning body than previously known. Most of us actively hide from the sun these days in an attempt to avoid harmful exposure. Might this be another lesson in the need for moderation?

[husky86]

I found the results of this study very interesting. I wonder if taking vitamin D supplements could help improve blood glucose control and A1c in patients with type 2 diabetes.

[scoupl]

My neighbor has diabetes, and I’d better make a copy of this article for her. It is great to find another cause or related factor that links to poor diabetes control. If a patient can have better control over diabetes by supplementing vitamin D, it would be awesome. It is fairly easy to follow as well. It is frustrating sometimes to see people with diabetes who don’t have a good control over their blood sugar despite the proper efforts.

[RxStudent2010]

I agree that at this point, there is a correlation between low vitamin D levels and high HbA1c levels. I did a research paper on low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease risk. The studies I reviewed showed a correlation there as well: participants in the studies with lower levels of vitamin D were at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease than the participants with normal levels of vitamin D. I think all of these data are pointing to the importance of vitamin D; now we need to figure out HOW vitamin D is impacting things like diabetes and heart disease. We have established a correlation, now we need to dig deeper!

[pharmstud898]

I agree. Vitamin D has been in the news more than any other vitamin this year. It definitely plays a major role in our physiology and more details are needed. Maybe vitamin D's role in our immune system is partially why it affects diabetes. Perhaps the cells of the pancreas are being damaged without proper immune protection and are in turn producing less insulin. Regardless, I think the publicity that vitamin D is receiving is positive. I hope it promotes more people to consider taking vitamin D and/or including it in their diet.

[VD]

Is it possible that one reason for the correlation between vitamin D and poor diabetes control could be due to lifestyle? For example, vitamin D is produced in our bodies from sun exposure, which was already mentioned. And, a possible cause of diabetes could be from inappropriate eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Linking the two, could it be possible that some of the individuals with diabetes also have an indoor-sedentary lifestyle that could contribute to the low levels of vitamin D?

[Steph B.]

I agree that it can be easy to forget that correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but we should definitely continue to try to get more information on this topic. The vitamin D monograph on Natural Standard's website references a previous meta-analysis that showed that vitamin D improved insulin sensitivity. The monograph also references a study reporting that infants receiving calcitriol in their first year were less likely to develop type 1 diabetes.

[PJ]

I'm at risk for developing diabetes, and anything that could help me get on track to a healthy lifestyle is helpful. It's great to know that increasing a simple thing like vitamin D could help protect me from developing diabetes. Does anyone know if the amount of vitamin D found in foods (like the ones mentioned: eggs, fish and milk) will be adequate for this indication? How do I know how much vitamin D I need, and how do I know if the products I consume are giving me that amount?