Vitamin D and Diabetes

Current scenario of Vitamin D and Diabetes

Mrs.Sheela Paul
Ms.Vimala - Dietitian


Vitamin D is quickly becoming the "it" nutrient with health benefits for diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and now diabetes.

Vitamin D foods are essential to life. Besides being needed for general health and well-being, foods high in vitamin D can have a positive effect on diabetes by reducing the risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis, minimizing the side effects of diabetes medication, reducing the oxidative process caused by diabetes, and enhancing the body’s ability to handle carbohydrates.

Vitamin D is very powerful . The body usually produces its own, with the help of by sunlight. A century ago, people who couldn’t get enough vitamin D risked developing rickets. Many foods are now fortified with vitamin D.

Many symptoms of diabetes such as high blood sugar level, increased urination, nerve damage, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and the side effects of drugs used to treat these conditions, create a risk of developing nutrient deficiencies for patients with diabetes. One of these nutrients is Vitamin D.

ROLE OF VITAMIN D


Vitamin-D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable mineralization of bone and to prevent hypocalcemic tetany.





It is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling.







Prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.





Plays a role in modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.


Vitamin D appears to make cancer cells less abnormal, less likely to multiply, and more likely to die. It also tunes up the immune system.

The major function of vitamin D is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones.

Low levels of calcium can reduce the efficiency of the sodium-potassium working machinery in the cells and lead to high blood pressure.

Two reasons for making sure you have sufficient levels of vitamin D in your body

1.Vitamin D deficiency impairs the manufacture of insulin and its secretion in humans, suggesting a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

2.Researchers in Bulgaria showed that giving vitamin D supplements to diabetics during the winter improved control of their blood sugar levels.

Where do you find vitamin D?



Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods. Dietary sources are:





Sometimes Vitamin D is added to milk, yogurt, bread, margarine, and breakfast cereals. Including an adequate amount of fish in your diet, 3 or 4 times a week, can be a good source of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because it can be obtained from the sun. In fact, as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies. Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals and dark-skinned people. Sunscreen “protects” against vitamin D formation, so if you wear it all the time, you are not making vitamin D.



Testing for Vitamin D deficiency
If you suspect you are low in vitamin D, ask your doctor to order a test. It is called 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, also known as 25(OH)D. Levels should be above 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/L).

Adequate intake of vitamin D may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and reduce complications for those who have already been diagnosed. These findings appeared in the latest issue of Diabetes Educator.

"Management of vitamin D deficiency may be a simple and cost-effective method to improve blood sugar control and prevent the serious complications associated with diabetes.

Diet alone may not be sufficient to manage vitamin D levels. A combination of adequate dietary intake of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements can decrease the risk of diabetes and related health concerns. The preferred range in the body is 30 - 60 ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin D.

And finally...

If your diet is not the healthiest one, you may not be getting the necessary amount of vitamin D or any others for that matter. However, do not rush to the nearest pharmacy and buy vitamin D. A multi-vitamin is usually okay but do not take a single vitamin by itself unless you are told to do so by your physician. Vitamins depend on each other to be effective, and large doses of one vitamin can upset the balance of nutrients.