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Loading ...Type 2 Diabetes: A General Overview
Diabetes type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. The pancreas within individuals that have type 2 diabetes is capable of producing insulin, but does not secrete it in adequate amounts or the body is unable to properly utilize the insulin that is secreted.
Insulin is required for the cells to use glucose (sugar) located in the bloodstream. This inability to use glucose causes a buildup of sugar within the bloodstream, causing signs and symptoms of diabetes type 2. The cells can not properly function without regulated and adequate amounts of glucose.
Vitamin D: A General Overview
Vitamin D has a variety of responsibilities within the body. It regulates both phosphorus and calcium levels within the blood through promotion of intestinal absorption. Vitamin D is also responsible for the promotion of mineralization and formation of bones. Vitamin D inhibits secretion of parathyroid hormone from the parathyroid gland. It also has a role within the immune system, enhancing and promoting phagocytosis, immunosuppression, and anti-tumor activity.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is defined as a variety of symptoms, overweight (large waist size particularly), high cholesterol and fat in the blood, high blood pressure, and the inability to produce, regulate, or utilize glucose (sugar). These symptoms are all associated with overall increased risk factors for the development diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 Diabetes and Vitamin D: The Research
There does exist scientific evidence supporting the fact that calcium and vitamin D have overall positive health effects on metabolic syndromes, including diabetes. While research has been completed and supports to support this, the exact mechanisms as to why vitamin D and calcium aid in the lowered risk for type 2 diabetes is unknown.
Type 2 Diabetes and Vitamin D: The Connections
The research studies have shown that individuals that maintain adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D in their diets are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. However, these individuals also typically had healthy lifestyles and dietary habits including not smoking, not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, eating a balanced healthy diet, and used multivitamins.
The individuals in the study were less likely to develop any of the five symptoms of metabolic syndrome listed above. Individuals that did not maintain adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium in their diets were more likely to develop all five symptoms of metabolic syndrome including diabetes.
Preliminary research has also linked a lack of vitamin D with negative effects on the pancreas ability for the production and secretion of insulin. The exact reasons and connections between vitamin D and insulin have yet to be resolved and research continues to find further evidence and mechanisms.
Type 2 Diabetes, Vitamin D, and Calcium
The study clearly implicates that the supplementation of vitamin D and calcium in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle can decrease overall chances for the development of metabolic syndrome symptoms, including diabetes. However, research is still preliminary, and more studies are currently being completed to delineate any specific connections and for reinforcement of this evidence.
http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/type-2-diabetes
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-research/summaries/liu-calcium-women.jsp
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-research/summaries/pittas-vitamin-calcium.jsp
Written by Lillian Taylor for MicroNutra Health™