The Link Between Vitamin D and Diabetes

What is the relationship between Vitamin D and Diabetes, and how does it affect the metabolism of glucose in patients?

Although this fact may not be as commonly known as one would hope, Vitamin D and Diabetes can be closely related as stated by recent medical research and studies. This is because specialists believe that a Vitamin D deficiency may actually be a risk factor for the development of Type 2 Diabetes.

Experts have been able to link the Vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance as factors that often occur together, and in many instances the former causes the appearance of the latter.

Even though these reports are still in their early stages, and many would even consider them circumstantial, it is important to pay close attention to the way these factors interact and how a patient may be affected by it.

Vitamin D is one of the most powerful vitamins in your system, playing an important number of roles in how our organisms respond to external factors, but also being a catalyst or promoter of healthy bones, teeth and joints, while also supporting our immune system.

So, being such a powerful and positive agent, how is it that Vitamin D and Diabetes can be closely related? Well, Vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance are linked because the lack of the first one affects the way our bodies are able to respond to insulin.

It is believed that Vitamin D is an important factor in improving our body’s sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that regulates our blood glucose levels.

Therefore, by reducing the risk of insulin resistance, Vitamin D and Diabetes Type 2 become two subjects that can be part of the same sentence, and not in the most positive of ways.

So how can we do to close the gap between a deficiency of Vitamin D and Diabetes Type 2? Well, the good news is that medical research has also shown that having a good amount of this powerful vitamin in our bodies will keep blood sugar levels under control.

Although the amount varies from person to person, it is believed that being between the range of 20-56 ng/ml is considered ideal to promote a healthy regulation of the production of insulin in the pancreas.

Furthermore, healthy levels of Vitamin D can also have an impact on:

Proper weight loss: as is reduces the levels of the parathyroid hormone and – in the long term – reduces the risk of obesity, which are two risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes.
Reducing stubborn belly fat: having stable levels of Vitamin D lowers those of cortisol, which is a stress hormone produced in the adrenal glands. When there is a high level of cortisol present in our bodies, we tend to accumulate fat in the abdominal area. This is also another common risk factor for Diabetes T2.
Regulation of our appetite: another hormone that is affected by the presence of Vitamin D is leptin. This one is in charge of controlling our body’s fat storage system and sends the signal of satiety, naturally lowering our hunger levels.

So, what can you do to treat a possible Vitamin D deficiency and, as a consequence, lower your risks of developing T2 Diabetes?

We all know that catching some healthy rays of sunlight is the simplest and most direct way to get some much needed Vitamin D. Under proper care and consideration, catching a small amount of light during your day is one of the healthiest thing you can do for your body.

In addition, under medical supervision and guidance, you can adjust your diet accordingly to include foods that are high in this vitamin and even take supplements that provide just the right amount of this super-powerful agent.

Whatever route you decide to go, it is important to keep in mind that your doctor is the one that will be able to determine whether or not your Vitamin D levels are low, and provide you with a specific and personalized treatment plan for your case.