Vitamin D may reduce risk of type 1 diabetes

SATURDAY June 7, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Sun exposure and vitamin D may play a significant role in the risk of type 1 diabetes in children, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego.

The role of vitamin D is traditionally known to protect bone health. But vitamin D has also recently been found to drastically reduce the risk of developing a variety of cancers.

In the current study, the researchers sought to establish an association between exposure to sunshine and type 1 diabetes, and they found that people who lived at or near the equator where sunshine is abundant had low incidence of type 1 diabetes.

The study was published June 5 in the online version of the scientific journal Diabetologia.

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) in sunshine triggers photosynthesis of vitamin D3 in the skin, which is also available through diet and supplements. Vitamin D2 in supplement forms is also available, but inferior to vitamin D3.

"This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that higher serum levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced incidence rates of type 1 diabetes worldwide," said Cedric F. Garland, Dr. P.H., professor of Family and Preventive Medicine in the UCSD School of Medicine, and member of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.

The results of the study suggest that exposure to sunshine or taking vitamin D supplements may prevent type 1 diabetes, which affects about 1.5 million Americans.

"This research suggests that childhood type 1 diabetes may be preventable with a modest intake of vitamin D3 (1000 IU/day) for children, ideally with 5 to 10 minutes of sunlight around noontime, when good weather allows," said Garland.

"Infants less than a year old should not be given more than 400 IU per day without consulting a doctor. Hats and dark glasses are a good idea to wear when in the sun at any age, and can be used if the child will tolerate them."

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 200 IU for infants and adults under the age of 50. Experts have urged authority bodies to raise the recommendation to as high as 1000 IU.

Exposure to sunshine is the major source of vitamin D. Foods that contain the vitamin are limited only to a few including oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods.

By Ben Wasserman, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jun 7, 2008 - 10:13:19 AM