Vitamin D may delay progression of clinical diabetes
November 29, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Diabetes mellitus type 2, or adult-onset diabetes, is epidemic, according to the CDC. It is a disease of high blood sugar with insulin resistance or insulin deficiency. Insulin resistance is what it sounds like. The cells are resistant to the action of insulin, and insulin resistance often leads to adult diabetes. However, adult diabetes is no longer a useful term. Since the sun-scare, adult-onset diabetes is often diagnosed in children. Frequently, but not always, it is a disease of the obese. Exercise and diet helps.
In 2003, about 130 million people in the world had type 2 diabetes. In the United States, 8% of the population has type 2 diabetes. The disease doubled between 1990 and 2005, along with sun-scare, soda, and obesity.
How many times have you heard that we need randomized controlled trials before we start taking vitamin D? Well, they are coming fast and furious. This August , researchers at Tufts University released a double blind randomized controlled trial that showed 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 had a major effect on insulin resistance.
Mitri J, Dawson-Hughes B, Hu FB, Pittas AG. Effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on pancreatic β cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glycemia in adults at high risk of diabetes: the Calcium and Vitamin D for Diabetes Mellitus (CaDDM) randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 94(2):486-94
I liked what the authors said, “These results suggested that vitamin D may have a role in delaying the progression to clinical diabetes in adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Our results may also be relevant to type 1 diabetes …”
Unfortunately, the beta cells in the pancreas are eventually all destroyed in type 1 diabetes. However, the genetic code for those beta cells remains in the body; maybe someone will learn how to turn those genes back on? Furthermore, many cases of type 1 diabetes still have some functioning beta cells; this study shows vitamin D reduces insulin resistance, perhaps helping you keep what beta cells you have left.
2,000 IU/day for 4 months only increased 25(OH)D levels from 24 to 30 ng/ml. Why such a small increase in 25(OH)D? The average subject weighed 223 pounds, that’s why.
This is good proof that the FNB was wrong when they said 20 ng/ml is as good as it gets. Remember the recent Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) said that levels of 20 ng/ml are just fine, do not expect any improvements with levels higher than 20 ng/ml. Keep in mind the NIH, especially the Office of Dietary Supplements, are against, not for, dietary supplements. They are especially sensitive to anyone implying the FNB study they helped fund is working against what they set to accomplish: to better the health and lives of individuals.
The authors failed to write even a sentence about dose, and I assume it is because Tufts University wants some more NIH grants. If going from 24 to 30 ng/ml showed such an improvement in insulin sensitivity, the obvious question is what would going from 24 to 40 ng/ml do? I don’t think the authors wanted to embarrass the FNB anymore than their findings already did.
Vitamin D deficiency in trasverse myelitis patients
November 25, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University announced on 11/14/2011 that transverse myelitis patients have low vitamin D levels, and they suspect that low vitamin D levels allow the inflammation in the disease to occur... continue reading
Thoughts on atrial fibrillation study
November 18, 2011 -- Brant Cebulla
Staff member Brant Cebulla offers a little perspective on recent data that associates atrial fibrillation with 25(OH)D levels over 100 ng/ml... continue reading
Fraser Health implements vitamin D regimen divergent of IOM’s recommendations
November 11, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Dr. Cannell calls out Dr. Gallo of the IOM and applauds Fraser Health, who recently announced the implementation of 20,000 IU/week supplementation for all of their nursing home residents... continue reading
The problem with our health care system
November 18, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Dr. Cannell likens the United States’ health care system to a baker deciding how much bread the consumer needs... continue reading
Open study shows positive clinical results with vitamin D for patients with SLE
November 21, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Open study shows that vitamin D is beneficial, normalizing T regulatory cells and showing positive clinical results for patients with SLE... continue reading
Subsequent primary cancers after melanoma diagnosis support that low vitamin D level is a risk factor for melanoma
November 15, 2011 -- Dr William Grant
A recent set of papers on melanoma in the United States in the November 2011 supplement of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology provided insight into melanoma, vitamin D, UVB exposure and internal cancers... continue reading
Meta-analysis looks at efficacy of D2 vs D3
November 16, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell
Prescription vitamin D (D2) less effective than over-the-counter vitamin D (D3) according to a meta-analysis... continue reading
Higher solar UVB during first trimester of pregnancy associated with better fetal development
November 10, 2011 -- Dr William Grant
A study in Greece found that babies born in winter and autumn had higher birth weight, longer gestational age, and two years longer life expectancy than those born in spring or summer... continue reading