Studies Show Vitamin D Deficiency Prominent Factor in Development of Diabetes

Numerous studies indicate that a vitamin D deficiency may be critical in the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It has long been known that vitamin D plays a particularly important role for children in preventing bone disorders such as rickets, yet researchers now believe that adequate vitamin D levels, especially in early childhood, may also prevent chronic diseases like diabetes. Research into childhood development and vitamin D has found that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D could have a profound impact on the chance of developing type 1 diabetes. In fact, studies show that vitamin D plays a crucial role in healthy development even before birth. Women who increased their vitamin D intake during their pregnancy reduced the development of islet autoantibodies in their children, the presence of which predispose children to type 1 diabetes. Another study found that by supplementing newborns with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 each day for their first year, they reduced their risk of developing type 1 diabetes by about 80%. On the other hand, children suffering from a vitamin D deficiency have a 200% increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes Other studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased insulin resistance, decreased insulin production, and metabolic syndrome: all of which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Another study found that by taking a combination of 1200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily, participants lowered their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 33% compared to those taking less than 600 mg of calcium and less than 400 IU of vitamin D daily. Researchers believe that both calcium and vitamin D may play an important role in regulating insulin producing cells and in ensuring that the body processes insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar from the bloodstream into cells in order for it to be converted into energy. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, as in type 2 diabetes, sugar remains in the bloodstream causing blood sugar levels to skyrocket. Additional studies are needed in order to determine whether calcium and vitamin D really regulate the processing of insulin. A few trials however, suggest that vitamin D may be a key factor in staving off the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in people considered “pre-diabetic”. Epidemiological studies show that people living at northern latitudes, specifically during childhood development, have a higher chance of developing diabetes as well as many forms of autoimmune and bone diseases and several forms of cancer. Researchers believe that this phenomenon occurs due to an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among those living further away from the equator. Our bodies create vitamin D naturally when exposed to ultraviolet light, specifically UVB rays. In winter months, UVB in sunlight is not strong enough for our bodies to make adequate levels of vitamin D without supplements or exposure to artificial UV light.

Lack of Vitamin D Linked to High Blood Pressure

By Dr. John Briffa
Special to The Epoch Times
 Apr 12, 2007

 
Cod liver oil is an important source of vitamin D. Low blood levels of vitamin D have been found to be associated with high blood pressure. (Louise Valentine/The Epoch Times)

Cod liver oil is an important source of vitamin D. Low blood levels of vitamin D have been found to be associated with high blood pressure. (Louise Valentine/The Epoch Times)
In recent years evidence has been amassing which has linked vitamin D with protection from a variety of ills including osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, low mood, and several forms of cancer. Recently, U.S.-based researchers have published research, which suggests that this nutrient has the capacity to ward off high blood pressure. As part of this research, about 600 men and 1,200 women, who had their blood vitamin D levels measured were then studied for a period of 4 to 8 years. In men, those with vitamin D levels less than 15 ng/ml (evidence of vitamin D deficiency) were found to be six times more likely to suffer from hypertension compared to men with vitamin D levels of 30 ng/ml or above. In women, vitamin D levels less than 15 ng/ml were found to be associated with twice the risk of hypertension compared to those with levels of 30 ng/ml or more. This epidemiological study may show an association between higher levels of vitamin D and lower blood pressure, but cannot prove that vitamin D is actually causing this effect. However, as the researchers involved in this study point out, vitamin D has known actions in the body that would be expected to help reduce blood pressure. For example, laboratory studies have found that vitamin D suppresses the activity of the hormone rennin, high levels of which can cause raised blood pressure. Vitamin D also has the capacity to reduce the proliferation of muscle in the walls of blood vessels, something that would also be expected to help protect against blood vessels "stiffness" and high blood pressure. The signs are that vitamin D does have a genuine blood pressure lowering effects. If this is the case, then this should help explain why individuals living in the Mediterranean region are found to have a generally reduced risk of heart disease. While the Mediterranean diet has been much used to explain this phenomenon, perhaps sunlight is playing a yet unsung role here too. Indeed, in one study undertaken in Turkish children, blood pressure was found to be significantly lower in the summer than the winter. What is more, the researchers of this study found by measuring the concentration of the children's urine that this difference could not be explained by variation in the level of hydration in the children. Most of the body's needs of vitamin D are met by the action of sunlight on the skin. During the darker months, lower light exposure can lead to reduced vitamin D levels, which it seems may have important consequences for health. Supplementation with cod liver oil may be used to help prevent vitamin D deficiency, especially during the winter. References: 1. Forman JP, et al. Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Incident Hypertension. Hypertension, 2007 Mar 19 [Epub ahead of print]
2. Polat M, et al. The effect of seasonal changes on blood pressure and urine specific gravity in children living in Mediterranean climate. Medical Science Monitor, 2006 Apr; 12(4): CR186-90. Epub 2006 Mar 28

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