Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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By Stephen Lau and editing by Stacey Sexton
Researchers from the University of Texas say obese children are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and have lower vitamin D levels. The study, conducted on 411 obese children and 87 non-overweight participants, will appear in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) in January 2012.
The researchers analyzed the relation between vitamin D levels and dietary habits in obese children and tested whether there were correlations between vitamin D levels and markers of abnormal glucose metabolism and blood pressure. Participants were asked to provide daily dietary information. Their vitamin D levels, serum insulin, blood pressure and sugar levels were measured.
"Our study found that obese children with lower vitamin D levels had higher degrees of insulin resistance," said Micah Olson, MD, of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and lead author of the study.
However, Olson admitted that the study could not find proof of correlation between low vitamin D levels and type 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, it indicated that low vitamin D levels might play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. This finding is in keeping with previous studies that also suggested this link.
In a similar vein, a 30-year study on Finnish children proves that vitamin D plays a role in preventing type 1 diabetes. If a person consumes regular vitamin D during infancy, he/she is 90% less likely to develop the disease.
In addition to low vitamin D levels increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, low vitamin D levels are associated with higher risk of heart disease and cancers like colon cancer, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
To get enough vitamin D, Harvard scientists suggest we consume sufficient dairy products and breakfast cereals. Moderate sun exposure is another way of getting vitamin D. Common-sense measures such as a generally healthy diet are also important. Olson notes, "Poor dietary habits such as skipping breakfast and increased soda and juice intake were associated with the lower vitamin D levels seen in obese children."
People with type 2 diabetes can generally produce insulin which is needed for the body to utilize blood sugar. But they can't use insulin effectively to metabolize blood sugar. Insulin is often needed to help diabetics to control blood sugar.
An estimated 20 to 25 million Americans live with type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is no cure for the disease, but it's controllable.
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