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
From what I’ve always read, they say 20 minutes exposure to the sun a day is what’s needed for Vitamin D production. Who knows? Maybe I’ll ask them to check it next time.
From my estimate, right now, I’m getting about 800-1000 a day, so it probably wouldn’t hurt to add a separate D supplement.
Understand.
Interesting shredding of that thread . . . . quite a relentless attack job.
This is a pretty good review article that stumbled upon while looking for: Inflammation and insulin resistance
Thnx. Will review.
My daughter was found to have extremely low levels of D, so her doctor prescribed a massive dose for several weeks. Months later, when she was re-tested, her level had already dropped too low again. Perhaps some people have more trouble maintaining a good level of D than others do. I’m always bugging her now to spend more time in the sun and take supplements. (Hey, I’m a mom... it’s what I do!)
bump
You should get a glucose meter. They’re pretty cheap too.
All you need is a drop of blood ...
Vitamin D will turn out to be the greatest nutritional discoveries in the last hundred years or so.
The next most important will be Magnesium.
Playing outside and in the sun, drinking creek water.
Go figure...
.....they say 20 minutes exposure to the sun a day is what’s needed for Vitamin D production.....
That is getting to the heart of the matter. There are varying degrees of sunlight and clothing that effect the exposure time but the principle holds.
The problem is that we no longer live out doors. Some women are outdoors only to go from car to the house or place of work or store. Then there is winter and dreary sunless days for weeks on end. That is when there is a problem.
Correction: Get the 25-hydroxyvitamin D, aka 25[OH]D, test done.
Some typos are unreal.
<50,000 units of Vit D once a week for 12 weeks
Is he taking any Vit D on the other days of the week? This is very interesting info for me as I have always had trouble with am BGs, no matter what regimen I’m on.
I don’t see my endo until January. Are there any problems with taking this much D without being followed by a doctor? And why once a week instead of every day (even if at lower amounts)? Inquiring minds want to know!
So what else is new? There’s a lot of anger here on FR lately.
I had a thought about Vitamin D. Since we get most of our Vitamin D from the Sun maybe it’s a good thing that this flu has come early in the season, if it had hit hard during the normal peak flu season (Jan/Feb) then the Vitamin D level’s of most would have been much, much lower ...
Just a though ...
“a lot” . . . several times over.
sigh.
I rarely get out in the sun. So my Vit. D. levels are low anyway. I guess you’re right about that. I just don’t know enough about it. I get Vit. D. when I do dialysis so hopefully that makes up for my being housebound much of the time, LOL.
Put me on the list please.
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