WASHINGTON, D.C. – Diabetes development has a stronger tie to vitamin D deficiency than it does to obesity, according to a study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and maintains bone and muscle health. While skin naturally produced it with exposure to sunlight, the vitamin also is obtained through foods such as milk. Still, more than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from insufficient levels of vitamin D due to limited sunshine exposure.
The study, according to one author, took into account subjects with a wide range in body weight. The cross-sectional study compared vitamin D biomarkers in 118 participants in Spain who were classified by their body mass index (BMI) as to if they had diabetes, pre-diabetes or no glycemic disorder.
What they found was those without glucose metabolism disorders had higher levels of vitamin D than those with diabetic problems.
Vitamin D levels were directly correlated with glucose levels instead of BMI.
The researchers concluded that the average person may be able to reduce their diabetes risk by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sunshine.
Dr. Ren Bedell, ND, who practices in sun-rich Tempe, Ariz. said most people don’t get enough sun, the strongest source of vitamin D. But you can get much needed vitamin D from food.
“… such as fatty fish, certain mushrooms, eggs, and it is commonly added to some milks, alternative milks, and juice. Even still, it is very common for me to prescribe Vitamin D supplementation to get people back to healthy levels,” Bedell said.
Low vitamin D is associated with colds, flus, weak bones, autism fibromyalgia and metabolic problems, he said.
“This article claiming that is a bigger risk factor then obesity is not surprising, although it is still just one piece of the puzzle. Diabetes is largely a lifestyle condition that develops due to multiple different factors. Vitamin D and weight are just two puzzles. Diet, exercise, stress, and family history are further factors,” Bedell said.