Vitamin D Benefits Diabetics
Previously, evidence has linked vitamin D with positive health outcomes, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and several forms of cancer.
Some studies have also found those with higher levels of vitamin D to be at a reduced risk of diabetes. There has also been evidence that supplementation with vitamin D or calcium may be beneficial in terms of blood-sugar control. Therefore, higher intake of these nutrients might reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
A study was published online on Feb. 2 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that assessed the impact of giving nutrient-fortified yogurt to individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Ninety individuals were treated with one of the following each day:
• Group 1: 500 milliliters (about 2 cups) of plain yogurt• Group 2: 500 milliliters of plain yogurt containing 1,000 IU of vitamin D and 300 milligrams of calcium• Group 3: 500 milliliters of plain yogurt containing 1,000 IU of vitamin D and 500 milligrams of calcium
A range of body and biochemical measurements was assessed at the beginning and end of the study.
At the beginning of the study, about three-quarters of the study participants were deemed to be deficient in vitamin D (vitamin D3 level 27.5–50.0 nanomoles per liter = 11.0–20.0 nanograms per milliliter). About 40 percent were deemed to have severe deficiency (less than 27.5 nanomoles per liter = 11.0 nanograms per milliliter).
At the end of the study, vitamin D levels had risen significantly in groups 2 and 3. The rise was about 75 percent in both groups, which corresponded to an absolute rise of 30–35 nanomoles per liter (12.0–14.0 nanograms per milliliter).
There were significant reductions in groups 2 and 3 of the following:
• Weight• Body mass index• Waist circumference• Fasting glucose (blood sugar) level• HbA1c level (a guide to blood sugar levels over the preceding two to three months)
Also, improvement in markers of insulin sensitivity was noted.
The authors of this study conclude that vitamin D-fortified yogurt (with or without additional calcium) helped blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetics probably through a direct effect on insulin sensitivity and an indirect effect through weight loss.
One notable aspect of this study was just how effective vitamin D-supplemented yogurt was in raising vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, and it’s possible that the fat in the yogurt enhanced the absorption of the vitamin D.
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