Vitamine D wordt het supplement op
dit moment
Vitamin D is quickly becoming the
"it" nutrient with health benefits for diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis,
heart disease and now diabetes.A recent review article published by researchers from
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing concluded that adequate
intake of vitamin D may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and reduce complications
for those who have already been diagnosed. These findings appeared in the latest issue of
Diabetes Educator. "Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and
certain chronic diseases in particular," said Sue Penckofer, Ph.D., R.N., study
co-author and professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
"This article further substantiates the role of this nutrient in the prevention and
management of glucose intolerance and diabetes."
Many of the 23 million Americans with diabetes have low vitamin D levels. Evidence
suggests that vitamin D plays an integral role in insulin sensitivity and secretion.
Vitamin D deficiency results in part from poor nutrition, which is one of the most
challenging issues for people with diabetes. Another culprit is reduced exposure to
sunlight, which is common during cold weather months when days are shorter and more time
is spent indoors.One study examined for this review article evaluated 3,000 people with
type 1 diabetes and found a decreased risk in disease for people who took vitamin D
supplements. Observational studies of people with type 2 diabetes also revealed that
supplementation may be important in the prevention of this disease. "Management of
vitamin D deficiency may be a simple and cost-effective method to improve blood sugar
control and prevent the serious complications associated with diabetes," said Joanne
Kouba, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N., study co-author and clinical assistant professor of dietetics,
Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Diet alone may not be
sufficient to manage vitamin D levels. A combination of adequate dietary intake of vitamin
D, exposure to sunlight, and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements can decrease the
risk of diabetes and related health concerns. The preferred range in the body is 30 - 60
ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin D. "People at risk for diabetes should be screened for low
vitamin D levels," said Mary Ann Emanuele, M.D., F.A.C.P., study co-author and
professor of medicine, division of endocrinology and metabolism, Loyola University Health
System. "This will allow health care professionals to identify a nutrient deficiency
early on and intervene to improve the long term health of these individuals." Vitamin
D deficiency also may be associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension
and heart disease. In fact, Penckofer recently published another study in Circulation that
reported on the role of chronic vitamin D deficiency in heart disease. The Circulation
study authors included Glen W. Sizemore, MD, emeritus professor of Medicine, Division of
Endocrinology and Metabolism, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and
Diane E. Wallis, MD, Midwest Heart Specialists, Downers Grove, Ill.
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