Vitamin D supplements have the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals carrying a specific gene.
Statistics reveal that approximately 4.6 million people in the UK are diagnosed with diabetes. In contrast, an estimated 6.3 million individuals suffer from non-diabetic hyperglycemia, commonly known as pre-diabetes, according to Diabetes UK.
If not addressed, pre-diabetes may progress into type 2 diabetes, but research suggests that vitamin D could help slow down or prevent this progression.
Often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to the sun’s UVB rays. It can also be found in oily fish, mushrooms, and red meat, and is essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Additionally, scientists believe it plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar.
Research conducted by Tufts University in Massachusetts discovered that pre-diabetic adults with specific variations in the vitamin D receptor gene experienced a 19% lower risk of developing diabetes when they took a high daily dose of vitamin D.
“Diabetes can lead to many serious complications that develop gradually over time. If we can postpone the duration that an individual lives with diabetes, we can reduce the harmful effects or lessen their intensity,” stated Bess Dawson-Hughes, a senior scientist at Tufts University.
In their report published in JAMA Network Open, researchers reviewed data from the D2d study, a clinical trial that evaluated the impact of 4,000 units of vitamin D daily compared to a placebo in over 2,000 US adults with pre-diabetes. Their objective was to determine if a daily high dose could decrease the likelihood of these high-risk individuals developing diabetes.
In the body, vitamin D found in the bloodstream is transformed into its active form before binding to the vitamin D receptor, a protein that enables cells to respond to the vitamin.
The researchers speculated that genetic variations in this receptor might clarify why some individuals experienced benefits from vitamin D while others did not. The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas contain vitamin D receptors, indicating that vitamin D may influence insulin secretion and regulation of blood sugar.
Participants were divided into two groups: those who appeared to benefit from vitamin D supplementation and those who did not.
It was found that individuals with a gene variation, known as AA, present in 30% of the population, did not respond positively to daily high doses of vitamin D. Conversely, adults with the variations AC and CC experienced a significantly reduced risk of developing diabetes with the same treatment.
“The appeal of vitamin D as a preventive measure lies in its affordability, accessibility, and ease of use,” noted Professor Anastassios Pittas from Tufts University School of Medicine.
However, study authors advised against self-administering high doses of vitamin D for pre-diabetes prevention without professional guidance. The NHS recommends that individuals avoid exceeding 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D daily, as excessive amounts can lead to calcium buildup in the body, harming the bones, kidneys, and heart.
