Low vitamin D levels linked to insulin resistance

July 7, 2004 in Diabetes & Diabetes Prevention, Nutrition Topics in the News, Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements

Low vitamin D levels linked to insulin resistance

People with low blood levels of vitamin D have poorly functioning insulin-producing cells and show a poor response to insulin, even when their blood sugar levels are normal, according to researchers from University of California in Los Angeles.

After a study involving 126 healthy, glucose-tolerant subjects, the research team found that the lower the vitamin D concentration, the longer it took for blood glucose levels to decline during oral glucose testing.

Overall, subjects with low levels of vitamin D were more likely than those with higher concentrations to exhibit conditions associated with the so-called metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood pressure and insulin resistance.

But the researchers also emphasized that correction of low vitamin D itself is not sufficient in the treatment of these conditions and too much vitamin D could also be harmful.

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