Can Vitamin D help prevent diabetes?
We all know vitamin D is important for bone health. Yet, in the last few years, researchers have found the many roles vitamin D plays in our overall health. A study in Diabetes Care those with the highest levels of vitamin D were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Dr. Pittas of Tufts School of Medicine studied 2,039 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program. This program looks at ways to prevent full blown diabetes in those diagnosed as pre-diabetic. After following these study participants for 2.7 years and periodically testing their vitamin D levels, they found those in the top one third in terms of vitamin D levels were much less likely to develop full blown diabetes. What role would vitamin D play in diabetes prevention? One theory is that vitamin D might improve how the pancreas works. The pancreas is an organ in our bodies that produces insulin which is needed to get blood sugar into our cells. A stud...