Clinicians begin to recognize role of vitamin D in diabetes

ATLANTA – Recent advances in nutrition and diabetes research highlight the importance of vitamin D, according to a presenter here during a SECO 2011 course on the retina.

“Vitamin D is a hot topic right now, not just for diabetes, but for a whole list of other conditions,” Kimberly Reed, OD, FAAO, of Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., told attendees.

“Vitamin D deficiency is linked to heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, obesity, muscle weakness, periodontal disease, reduced cognition, birth defects, reduced immune function, depression and diabetes, she said.

““Vitamin D levels are decreasing in North America,” Dr. Reed said. “Breast fed infants are supplemented because we know this is a problem. Up to 4,000 IU per day carries no risk, so the risk of oversupplementation is low.

““Having sufficient amounts of vitamin D assures that the proinflammatory cytokines at the root of many diseases help reduce the inflammation systemically,” Dr. Reed continued.

“She cited some statistics regarding the role of vitamin D in patients with diabetes.

“Vitamin D deficiency is more common among type 2 diabetics than nondiabetics, she said. More than 75% of diabetics are vitamin D deficient; diabetics with no eye disease have the highest vitamin D levels; and diabetics with proliferative disease have the lowest levels of vitamin D, she continued.

“Vitamin D deficiency progressively reduces insulin secretion, and glucose intolerance follows, Dr. Reed said. It also lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines.

““How do we make sure we have enough?” Dr. Reed asked. “As with most supplementation, get the levels checked before you recommend it. Re-check the levels and modify supplementation as needed.”