Vitamin D News
Vitamin D is a pro-hormone produced in response to UV light activating cholesterol in the skin, and it’s hot property at the moment. Amongst possibly being protective against cancer, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease, the most intriguing clinical data surrounds the impact that vitamin D status has on insulin resistance and diabetes.
This is very topical for NZ as researchers suggest a diabetes tsunami is on its way – predictions are that by 2036 over 500,000 kiwis will have diabetes. Is it a coincidence then, that a significant and growing number of kiwis have less than optimal vitamin D levels? I don’t think so.
In the largest population study of its kind, an Australian study of 5200 people found that vitamin D deficiency was an independent risk factor for diabetes, even after adjusting for other risk factors, such as weight, diet and physical activity.1 In addition, a trial at New Zealand based Massey University found that in a group of women, supplementing and subsequently increasing the average blood level of vitamin D from 21 to 75 nmol/L, drastically improved insulin sensitivity and reduced insulin resistance.2
So what does this mean for kiwis out there on the slippery slope to diabetes? Alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle, it is important to get regular responsible sun exposure! Keeping in mind that vitamin D production is thwarted by clothing, sun block, glass and cloud cover. In winter it may be pertinent to supplement with vitamin D3 to maintain optimal blood levels.
1 Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium intake, and risk of type 2 diabetes after 5 years: results from a national, population-based prospective study (the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study).Gagnon C, Lu ZX, Magliano DJ, Dunstan DW, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ,Sikaris K, Grantham N, Ebeling PR, Daly RM.
2 Br J Nutr. 2010 Feb;103(4):549-55. Epub 2009 Sep 28.Vitamin D supplementation reduces insulin resistance in South Asian women living in New Zealand who are insulin resistant and vitamin D deficient - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.von Hurst PR, Stonehouse W, Coad J.