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Vitamin D May Halt Diabetes Progression
23 Apr
Summary
- Vitamin D might help delay or prevent pre-diabetes progression.
- A study found a 19% lower risk of diabetes with high vitamin D.
- Genetic variations influence vitamin D's effectiveness for diabetes prevention.
An estimated 6.3 million people in the UK have pre-diabetes, a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes if left untreated. Emerging research suggests that vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, could help delay or prevent this progression. Scientists found that pre-diabetic adults with particular genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor gene had a significantly reduced risk of developing diabetes when supplemented with high daily doses of vitamin D.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 2,000 US adults with pre-diabetes. Researchers observed that individuals with AC and CC gene variations responded positively to high-dose vitamin D, experiencing a 19% lower risk of developing diabetes. However, those with the AA gene variation did not show the same benefit.
While vitamin D is inexpensive and widely available, researchers caution against taking high doses without consulting a healthcare professional. The NHS recommends a maximum daily intake of 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) to avoid potential health risks such as calcium buildup, weakened bones, and kidney damage.
