| New research discoveries into vitamin D and its role in | | | | several reasons pointing to a need to raise the daily |
| human health could be of special interest to a large | | | | vitamin D requirement substantially from the current |
| number of those North Americans who have the | | | | daily Adequate Intake amount of 200 International |
| disease called diabetes, a serious and incurable | | | | Units (IU) for everyone aged from newborn to 50 |
| condition that is characterized by the presence of | | | | years of age, 400 IU for those 50 years old up to |
| higher than normal blood sugar levels throughout the | | | | 70, and 600 IU for those of 70 years and older. |
| body. | | | | In the March 2010 issue of Endocrine News, a |
| Discoveries recently announced by scientists at the | | | | professional publication for practicing clinicians, |
| University of Copenhagen report that Vitamin D plays | | | | researchers, and scientists in the field, a featured |
| a critical role in activating the body's immune system | | | | article on vitamin D expressed some frustration with |
| defenses and unless enough vitamin D is available to | | | | government authorities who stick to the current |
| the T cells, also called killer cells in describing their | | | | Adequate Intake amounts. According to professor |
| capacity to kill invading infections, the T cells are not | | | | Bruce W. Hollis of the Medical University of South |
| able to fight off the serious infections as they are | | | | Carolina, "The lack of vitamin D is responsible for an |
| programmed to do. | | | | incredible array of diseases." He further states that |
| Diabetes and Vitamin D | | | | insufficient levels of the vitamin are linked to several |
| It has been conjectured that diabetes may create an | | | | types of cancers, cardiovascular disorders, multiple |
| increased requirement for vitamin D and that a | | | | sclerosis, autoimmunity and other chronic diseases |
| deficiency in the vitamin may lead to a decrease in | | | | including diabetes. Dr. Hollis takes 4000 IU daily. |
| insulin production, typical of type-1 and type-2 | | | | Other scientists have suggested that 5000 IU is an |
| diabetes. Insulin is an essential hormone needed to | | | | appropriate daily intake for those at high risk of |
| assist the acceptance of blood sugars by the cells of | | | | vitamin D deficiency to prevent bone diseases in all |
| the body. | | | | ages. |
| If that is really the case, then the conclusion must be | | | | Perhaps it is time to discuss this issue with your |
| that those suffering from diabetes could be helped | | | | doctor |
| by obtaining higher intakes of vitamin D than they | | | | For the diabetic population, those who are already |
| currently do. There are several other diseases caused | | | | diabetic and those who have prediabetes, also a |
| or worsened by a lack of Vitamin D, is it possible | | | | condition of higher than normal blood sugar levels that |
| that diabetes should be added to that list? | | | | often develops to full diabetes, I would suggest that |
| It is well known that deficiencies in vitamin D cause | | | | in light of the foregoing described research and |
| the bone disease called rickets in young children. | | | | scientific opinion it would be worthwhile to discuss the |
| Rickets was first identified as a vitamin D deficiency | | | | matter fully with your doctor. |
| in the 1920s and scientists soon found a way to | | | | I do have higher than normal blood sugar levels and |
| synthesize the vitamin and then add it to everyday | | | | for me, and others like me, the constant battle to |
| food items such as breakfast cereals and milk. Those | | | | control the condition does spoil the quality of life. I will |
| fortified food products and many others are still the | | | | be discussing this with my doctor who I hope is up |
| most relied upon sources of vitamin D for growing | | | | to date and informed on the matter. |
| children, adults, and the elderly. But it is not known | | | | But The American Diabetes Association does not |
| how much Vitamin D is really needed for total good | | | | advocate higher intake levels |
| health. There is no official Recommended Daily | | | | The American Diabetes Association is takes a |
| Allowance (RDA) as there is for many other | | | | cautious view, not advocating any increase in vitamin |
| nutrients. There is only a suggested amount, referred | | | | D intake above the current recommended levels. |
| to as "Adequate Intake" that is used because there | | | | In a Research Summary, the American Diabetes |
| isn't enough data to confirm what is actually the | | | | Association, states that more studies are needed to |
| correct amount and thereby set a fixed and final | | | | determine whether more calcium and vitamin D is |
| value. | | | | able to prevent diabetes and its complications. Their |
| Recent research shows higher intake of Vitamin D is | | | | position statement says: "There is no clear evidence |
| effective | | | | of benefit from vitamin or mineral supplementation in |
| It would appear from recent research, including that | | | | people with diabetes (compared with the general |
| of the University of Copenhagen that there are | | | | population) who do not have underlying deficiencies. |