Vitamin D deficiency: a new risk factor for type 2 diabetes?.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2012;61(4):337-48. doi: 10.1159/000342771. Epub 2012 Dec 3.
Mezza T, Muscogiuri G, Sorice GP, Prioletta A, Salomone E, Pontecorvi A, Giaccari A.
Endocrinologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia. teresa.mezza at gmail.com
Recent compelling evidence suggests a role of vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and insulin secretion derangements, with a consequent possible interference with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanism of this link is incompletely understood. In fact, vitamin D deficiency is usually detected in obesity in which insulin resistance is also a common finding. The coexistence of insulin resistance and vitamin D deficiency has generated several hypotheses. Some cross-sectional and prospective studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in worsening insulin resistance; others have identified obesity as a risk factor predisposing individuals to exhibit both vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance. The available data from intervention studies are largely confounded, and inadequate considerations of seasonal effects on 25(OH)D concentrations are also a common design flaw in many studies. On the contrary, there is strong evidence that obesity might cause both vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance, leaving open the possibility that vitamin D and diabetes are not related at all. Although it might seem premature to draw firm conclusions on the role of vitamin D supplementation in reducing insulin resistance and preventing type 2 diabetes, this manuscript will review the circumstances leading to vitamin D deficiency and how such a deficiency can eventually independently affect insulin sensitivity.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.
PMID: 23208163
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See also Vitamin D Life
- African-Americans at high risk of obesity and diabetes - 2011
- Diabetes 6X more likely for those abdominal obese who have insufficient vitamin D – June 2012
- Obesity lowers vitamin D which increases probability of diabetes in children – Nov 2011
- Obesity and diabetes reduced when move to better neighborhood – or better UV – Oct 2011
- Overview Diabetes and vitamin D
- Overview Metabolic Syndrome and vitamin D