How “The Sunshine Vitamin” Helps Diabetics

Time to soak up the sun!

The sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, seems to be associated with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and everything else! There are two forms of vitamin D: D2 (ergocalciferol) that is synthesized by plants (mushrooms, yeast) and D3 (cholecalciferol) that is synthesized in skin exposed to the sun or in foods such as fatty fish. Unfortunately, food sources of vitamin D are usually insufficient.

vit-d

Diabetic patients with liver or kidney problems are at high risk of deficiency as vitamin D metabolism requires conversion in liver and kidneys. It is suggested that 5-30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 am to 3 pm twice a week without sunscreen is adequate for synthesis.

There is increasing evidence that shows vitamin D could be a contributing factor of type 1 & type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

    • A study involving 83,779 women found an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in those with a low vitamin D status.
    • Increasing vitamin D levels to normal were found to reduce the risk of T2D by 55%.
    • One study also concluded that patients with increased levels of A1C should be evaluated for vitamin D insufficiency.



Type 1 diabetes (T1D)

  • Low vitamin D status is associated with increased risk of T1D.
  • A study found that children who took 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily were 80% less likely to develop T1D.
  • Evidence supports that adequate vitamin D during pregnancy, nursing, infancy, and childhood may aid in preventing T1D.

Here is how vitamin D helps:

  • d3Vitamin D improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance
  • Deficiency leads to reduced insulin secretion
  • Stimulates the expression of the insulin receptor (making insulin more effective for you)
  • Enhancing insulin effectiveness for glucose transport (increases efficiency of insulin in lowering blood sugar levels)

Although the role of vitamin D in regulating blood glucose is still yet to be understood, it appears to play a part in the treatment and development of diabetes. Research suggests that optimal levels of vitamin D may be needed for individuals without diabetes, those at risk and those who suffer from it.

[expand title=”References“]

1)   Thatcher TD, Clarke BL. Vitamin D insufficiency. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2011; 86:50-60.

2)   Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007; 357:266-281.

3)   Holick MF. Vitamin D: the underappreciated D-lightful hormone that is important for skeletal and cellular health. Current Opinion on Endocrinology Diabetes. 2002; 9:87-98.

4)   Mohr SB, Garland CF, Gorham ED, Garland FC. The association between ultraviolet B irradiance, vitamin D status, ad incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in 51 regions worldwide. Diabetologia. 2008; 51:1391-1398.

5)   Hypponen E, Laara E, Reunanen A, Jarvelin MR, Virtanen SM. Intake of vitmin D and risk of type I diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet. 2001; 358:1500-1503.

6)   Martin TM, Campbell KC. Vitamin D and Diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum. 2011; 24(2):113-118.

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