Posted on 10/27/2009 9:16:38 AM PDT by neverdem
Supplements of the sunshine vitamin may improve insulin resistance and sensitivity, both of which are risk factors for diabetes, says a new study from New Zealand.
Insulin resistance, whereby insufficient insulin is released to produce a normal glucose response from fat, muscle and liver cells, was significantly lower in women following high-dose vitamin D supplementation, according to results of a randomised, controlled, double-blind trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
The optimal effects were observed when blood vitamin D levels were in the range 80 to 119 nanomoles per litre, said the researchers, providing further evidence for an increase in the recommended adequate levels.
D for diabetes
This is not the first time that vitamin D has been linked to diabetes. A recent meta-analysis of data from observational studies and clinical trials in adults showed a "relatively consistent association" between low intakes of calcium, vitamin D, or dairy intake and type-2 diabetes (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 92, pp. 2017-2029).
The new study involved 81 South Asian women with insulin resistance living in New Zealand. The subjects, aged between 23 and 68, were randomly assigned to receive either 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D3 or placebo daily for six months.
At the end of the test period, women in the vitamin D group experienced significant improvements in both insulin sensitivity and resistance, said the researchers, which was also accompanied a decrease in fasting insulin levels, compared to placebo.
The greatest improvement in insulin resistance was observed when blood levels of vitamin D, measured as 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) the non-active 'storage' form of the vitamin were at least 80 nanomoles per litre.
Improving vitamin D status in insulin resistant women resulted in improved IR and sensitivity, but no change in insulin secretion, wrote the women. Optimal vitamin D concentrations for reducing IR were shown to be 80 to 119 nmol/l, providing further evidence for an increase in the recommended adequate levels, they concluded.
Shedding light on the sunshine vitamin
Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. The former, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to 320 nm), is said to be more bioactive.
Both D3 and D2 precursors are hydroxylated in the liver and kidneys to form 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1017/S0007114509992017
Vitamin D supplementation reduces insulin resistance in South Asian women living in New Zealand who are insulin resistant and vitamin D deficient a randomised, placebo-controlled trial Authors: P.R. von Hurst, W. Stonehouse, J. Coad
I’m type 11 diabetic and insulant resistant.
I’m type 11 diabetic and INSULIN resistant. Oops.
ping
The once a week vitamn D is a prescribed vitamin and is usually closely monitored by the Dr. :)
Do you mean type 1 or is there another type 11 I don’t know about?
I’m a type two diabetic, adult onset, insulin resistant. I am now on insulin but began in 1983 on pills. Nothing ever worked, so they put me on insulin about ten years ago, I think.
That should take care of the resistance. Sorry you had to do that, it sure isn’t a fun thing to have to do.I’m a type 1 and have been on daily injections since August of 1970 when I was 9 yo so can sympathize. Just in September I got my first insulin pump. It’s really nice and so much less restrictive so if you have good insurance and your Dr thinks it would be benefical talk to him/her about how they work and if it would be a good thing for you. :)
My grandson is on the pump. He’s a juvenile diabetic but doesn’t take very good care of himself. He has a lot of other problems, sigh. The pump has been very good for him. Thank you for your suggestion.
“So what else is new? Theres a lot of anger here on FR lately.”
I think a lot of people are feeling stressed these days. Even if we are prepared and aware of the difficulties that seem to be hitting us daily, I still think it stresses us out. The anger might be coming from such a situation.
Well, if you read the articles here and listen to Glenn Beck, as I did for a few minutes tonight, I can certainly understand why people are stressed out. We’re living in pretty frightening times with a communist in the White House giving up (no) hope and change every day. Don’t know where it all will end.
That is very interesting. I hope the doctor continues to monitor his vitamin D level, in case his declines as my daughter’s did. It makes you wonder if some people are less able to store D than others. I keep pestering my daughter to go out in the sun more and to take extra D.
I hope your husband continues to do well.
Your tagline sums it up pretty well, though. We just have to keep reminding ourselves of it. I know my stress has gone up and I can feel it in my shoulders and see it in my blood sugar levels some days. I guess I’m letting it get to me a bit, and darn it, sometimes I find a piece of chocolate helps (the stress, not the sugar). LOL There is some good information posted on this thread which I will have to talk to my doctor about next visit.
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