Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Blood Sugar Concerns
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By CP Staff
According to a new study, deficiency in a particular fat-soluble vitamin is associated with an increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In patients with any form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95 percent of cases.
The American Diabetes Association states that 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in Americans 20 years of age and older each year. Currently, it is estimated that 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.
This new study evaluated the association between vitamin D levels and the development of type 2 diabetes. Using a subset of subjects from the Framingham Offspring Study, researchers assessed plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and followed the subjects for an average of 7 years to determine the incidence of type 2 diabetes. The researchers also collected data on age, sex, body mass index, month of blood sampling, total vitamin D intake, smoking status and total energy intake to control for any confounding factors.
The results of the study showed that the subjects with the highest 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels had a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to the subjects with the lowest plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This association was found even after adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, parental history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides and impaired fasting glucose.
The study authors stated, “Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D status is associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Maintaining optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D status may be a strategy to prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.”
Reference:
Liu E, Meigs JB, Pittas AG, Economos CD, McKeown NM, Booth SL, Jacques PF. Predicted 25-hydroxyvitamin D score and incident type 2 diabetes in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jun;91(6):1627-33.
Posted by: Austin Medical Equipment
