Vitamin D prevents diabetes and clogged arteries in mice

Washington University in St. Louis/Science Daily ^ | March 19, 2015 | Jim Dryden

[ConservativeMind]

In recent years, a deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, two illnesses that commonly occur together and are the most common cause of illness and death in Western countries. Both disorders are rooted in chronic inflammation, which leads to insulin resistance and the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.

Now, new research in mice at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests vitamin D plays a major role in preventing the inflammation that leads to type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Further, the way key immune cells behave without adequate vitamin D may provide scientists with new therapeutic targets for patients with those disorders.

“The finding that vitamin D helps regulate glucose metabolism may explain previous epidemiological studies identifying an increased risk of diabetes in patients with vitamin D deficiency,” said senior investigator Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, associate professor of medicine and of cell biology and physiology. “In our study, inactivation of the vitamin D receptor induced diabetes and atherosclerosis, so normalizing vitamin D levels may have the opposite effect.”

In addition, he said inadequate vitamin D turned immune cells into transporters of fat. That may help researchers better understand how diabetes and atherosclerosis are linked and provide new possibilities for therapy.

[1_Rain_Drop]

If you haven’t caught a cold, then it is working.

I read that “oily” vitamins should be taken with a bit of fat for better absorption. I’m not sure if vit D falls into that category.

[RedWhiteBlue]

The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K.

[greeneyes]

Not just anecdoctal - check out this book:

VITAMIN K2 AND THE CALCIUM PARADOX

There is also evidence that this deficiency of K2 contributes to the plaque in arteries. K2 helps to get the calcium into the bones. Calcium, Vitamins D3,K2, and A all work together for strong bones.

[clearcarbon]

"Vitamin D prevents diabetes and clogged arteries in mice"

I suppose this is why Mickey Mouse lives in Southern California or Florida.

[1_Rain_Drop]

thank you!

[MacMattico]

Well, no I don’t think I’ve had a cold!

[BeadCounter]

Bumping this thread for the weekend, I thought this was pretty good for health and wellness or possibly whatever keyword it goes under. I’ve been taking the vitamin D3 and I think this is indeed, an important concept to remember.

I looked through this mail flyer I got, “Echinacea and Golden Seal” combined. It’s probably good for you but I think this D3 is important to remember. Sounds like from some reading I did, that it is in fish oil as well.

Disclaimer: Livestrong is a fairly good website to explore things but I think in general, their writers are basically, common folks writing, maybe they have some good info though nonetheless: http://www.livestrong.com/article/86363-benefits-vitamin-d3/