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
Thanks. Didn’t catch the difference...!
Jeez, first, I’m female. Second, though I am ‘black,’ my skin tone is beige, like an Hispanic’s. I am describing my color correctly. Blacks are advised to take Vit D because of skin color, and especially if they live in cloudy climes.
Can.not.win with FReepers.
I was just kidding with my comment! My wife is taking add’l D also because she is Type II and a moderately dark complexion (south Asian).
Close, classic type 1 diabetes means your body stopped producing insulin, or not making enough insulin as the beta cells are not entirely killed yet from the autoimmune reaction, and you are always afflicted before the age of 25 years old. Type 2 diabetes is usually characterized as insulin resistance in the obese older than 40 years old.
Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young, MODY, is now well established as a manifestation of obesity and insulin resistance in those less than 25 years old, their version of type 2 diabetes. They also now recognize Type 1.5 Diabetes, aka Slow Onset Type 1 and LADA, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, in those older than 25 years old.
I could have sworn I posted an article discussing LADA. Maybe it was yanked. That link has a good disussion about it.
The autoimunne versions have antibodies, especially those against glutamic acid decarboxylase(GAD). When you can make insulin any more, you won't have any peptide C on the lab test.
Because of medication errors with abbreviations, abbreviations are now forbidden in many institutions, if not all. So nanomoles is easier to write than international units.
Do not take seriously, we don’t care what color
you are. I myself am sort of teal or perhaps puce?
It’s hard to tell.
Welcome to FR and for your comments.
I lived in Seattle for a short while back in the 70s.
Tet.
I have recently started taking Vitamin D as a flu preventative, but after reading a lot of articles
like this have gone to 4-1000 iu per day.
Will let you know how it goes.
I am also type II diabetic.
Goodluck.
Thanks for the link.
Should have been: "When you can't make insulin any more, you won't have any peptide C on the lab test."
That is when type 1 is suspected, peptide C is checked. Below normal levels of peptide C supports a type 1 diagnosis. GAD antibodies will confirm it or LADA.
“can’t make insulin any more...”
That’s when your blood turns into something resembling high quality 90WT gear oil...
I have always believed, and remain convinced, that everybody should fast a few days a month, like 3-4
Reset the clock. Clean out the junk. Clear up the chemical pathways, that sort of thing.
Fasting is good advice ...
Drinking milk and eating cheese doesn't cut it! Eating fish three times a day is better for Vit D.
Other studies have found that people who take Vit D supplements aren't as prone to catch flu.
Well, I’m 55, 5’7”, 135lbs, and have been that way pretty much my whole life.
Still wear 31” Levis.
I love food and love to eat but generally eat pretty light... unless I’m good and hungry, I mean ravenous, which is when I go into chef mode and spend a couple hours making spaghetti or a huge vat of chicken soup or stir fry or something.
I can tell when I need more minerals because I will get small muscle aches, so I up my calcium and magnesium. General lethargy, I up my vit B12 and C.
Wish there was a way I could tell the difference between being hungry (simple low blood sugar) and needing to up my protein. (I could probably do it with some type of urine test but I don’t need a full bore clinical chem lab in my house...)
You can say that again!
It never ceases to amaze that so many can't learn from the experience of others; only their experience is valid!
I am taking 4,000 units per day, it is flu season. I take 2,000 the rest of the time. I can absolutely testify that the problems with colds and drainage and stuffiness disappeared.
The dosage seems to have not been settled. I at first took 2,000 units and bought 1,000 unit tabs from Walmart. I bought a big bottle. When they were gone, I found that Walmart was then selling 2,000 unit tabs. That means the demand is for 2,000 unit
I guess it will all settle out on some dosage. In the mean time, excess apparently doesn’t hurt and the cost is trivial. Better some than none
ping
That’s what I’m taking-—three 2000IU-D3—from Walmart. My dr. is one who is prescribing 50000 once a week pills...but I’m taking OTC.
Thanks. I hadn’t heard of 1.5 before this article. I try to read as much as I can because IMHO after being type one for nearly 40 years now it’s important that I keep track of the new things so I can ask my Dr about them and what she thinks.
Frankly, I can hold my left hand out the sidewindow to signal a left turn and will get 50% of my annual D requirement in the time it takes to pull my hand back in.
I suppose I could eat more raw fish liver ~ which sounds pretty good at the moment ~ or carry around one of those polished steel mirrors under my coat so I can stop for a sunbreak at Noon in the winter.
Your typical South Asian Woman has a good tan with lots and lots of Persian genetic background. They may need more vitamin D.
They give me Vitamin D in my dialysis solution so I can’t take any supplements, but thank you, dear heart.
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