Proper vitamin D supplementation can prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis. More and more studies have found that vitamin D receptors are in the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, bones, genitourinary organs, parathyroid glands, and various immune cells. It regulates cell growth and neuromuscular and immune function, reducing inflammatory response and other hormone secretions.
Recently, the Annals of Internal Medicine published a meta-analysis showing that the use of vitamin D in patients with prediabetes can help reduce the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes.
Intaking Vitamin D Can Reduce The Risk Of Prediabetes.
This analysis study included a meta-analysis of 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, including data on 4190 subjects. Among them, 2097 cases were in the vitamin D group, and 2093 cases were in the placebo group. The mean age at baseline was 61 years.
Multivariate analysis showed that in people with prediabetes, vitamin D can reduce the risk of diabetes by 15% compared with placebo. The 3-year absolute risk reduction was 3.3%. The effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in preventing diabetes was similar across subgroups.
There are many types of vitamin D, mainly including vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). The intermediate product 25-hydroxyvitamin D is produced during the metabolism of vitamin D. This is an important reference for clinical judgment of vitamin D levels.
Among subjects supplementing with vitamin D, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were ≥125 nmol compared with those whose mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level during the trial was 50 to 74 nmol/L (20 to 29 ng/mL). /L (≥50 ng/mL), the risk of diabetes was reduced by 76% after supplementing with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). The 3-year absolute risk reduction was 18.1%. Vitamin D supplementation increased the likelihood of normalizing glucose regulation by 30%.
Although this study shows that the absolute reduction of diabetes risk in pre-diabetic people with vitamin D supplementation is not large, only 3.3%, and is significantly lower than the effect of intensive lifestyle intervention (58%) and metformin (31%). However, there are more than 374 million adults with prediabetes worldwide. Vitamin D supplements are cheap. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation can delay the progression of diabetes in more than 10 million people.
Vitamin D In Treating Diabetes: What Role?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid derivative. It has bone and mineral-regulating effects. It also participates in pathophysiological processes such as inflammatory response, immunity, and glucose and lipid metabolism.
- It promotes the synthesis and secretion of insulin.
In addition to bone tissue, pancreatic beta cells also have vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D deficiency impairs glucose-induced insulin release. In other words, it can directly activate the vitamin D receptor in pancreatic islet cells, thereby affecting the function of pancreatic beta cells. Causing it to secrete more insulin. Vitamin D can also inhibit the apoptosis process of pancreatic islet cells.
- It enhances insulin sensitivity.
Since insulin secretion is calcium-dependent, vitamin D can enhance insulin secretion and the sensitivity of insulin target tissues to insulin by regulating the calcium ion concentration inside and outside pancreatic beta cells. It helps lower blood sugar to a certain extent. Studies have shown that when the vitamin D concentration in diabetic patients increases from 25nmol/L to 75nmol/L, insulin sensitivity can increase by about 60%.
- It inhibits inflammatory responses and regulates the body’s immunity.
Type 2 diabetes is considered a systemic inflammation. Vitamin D can enhance the function of monocytes and macrophages. It inhibits inflammatory responses by affecting the body’s acquired and natural immunity. Thereby protecting islet cells and maintaining their function.
How To Supplement Vitamin D?
People, including diabetics, can supplement vitamin D through sun exposure, food, supplements, etc.
- Bask in the sun.
Studies have shown that as long as you are exposed to sunlight for 10 minutes daily, your body can synthesize enough vitamin D3. But be aware that to avoid sunburn, you can bask in the sun from 9 to 10 a.m. or 3 to 4 p.m.
- Food supplement.
Vitamin D2 is mainly derived from fungi. Vitamin D3 comes from animals (fish, cod liver oil, etc.).
- Nutritional supplements.
There are already various brands of vitamin D supplements on the market. It is for everyone who wants to supplement with vitamin D, not just those with prediabetes. When purchasing, pay attention to the vitamin D content marked on the product, such as vitamin d3 cholecalciferol 50000 iu, vitamin d3 2000 iu, etc.
Do Not Overdose On Vitamin D Supplements.
Generally speaking, adults aged 18 to 64 are recommended to consume 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D daily. Elderly people over 65 years old should consume 600 IU daily. Diabetic patients often suffer from osteoporosis, and the recommended intake is 800 IU per day.
As we all know, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it cannot be excreted in the urine as quickly as water-soluble vitamins. Therefore, excessive intake may cause cumulative poisoning.
Dr. Malachi J. McKenna from University College Dublin and Dr. Mary A.T. Flynn from the Irish Food Safety Authority published an editorial reminding us that vitamin D supplements and treatment cannot be treated the same way. The more vitamin D supplements, the better. High-dose vitamin D intake is not good for your health.
Conclusion: Can Vitamin D Reverse Diabetes?
There are currently no studies showing that vitamin D can completely reverse diabetes. However, an appropriate amount of vitamin D can help reduce the risk of diabetes, especially prediabetes. It plays a positive role in treating diabetes. At the same time, it also plays a very important role in preventing and treating osteoporosis, a complication of diabetes, and ensuring bone health. However, vitamin D supplementation needs to be done in moderation. High-dose intake may easily cause adverse physical reactions, such as anorexia, weight loss, etc.
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