High levels of vitamin D in the blood could help protect against type 2 diabetes, according to an Australian study led by Canadian Claudia Gagnon at the University of Melbourne.
From Australian research data, researchers studied 5,200 healthy people, average age 51, for five years. Baseline measures of vitamin D levels and calcium intake were assessed. After five years, 199 individuals or 3.8 percent developed diabetes.
Those with lower than average levels of vitamin D had a 57 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Calcium had no correlation.
Scientists believe that vitamin D may help keep blood sugar levels under control, and health experts recommend a daily minimum of 600 IU.
Researchers concluded that higher Vitamin D levels were associated with a significantly reduced risk of diabetes in Australian adult men and women.
Gagnon cautions that the findings do not prove cause and effect, and that further studies are still needed.