How “The Sunshine Vitamin” Helps Diabetics

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.

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:

• Vitamin 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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