Is Vitamin D linked to Diabetes? How? Why? An explanation to a lay person…

Should we take care of our vitamin D intake or exposure?

Certainly, diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high levels of blood glucose (sugar).

Vitamin D is known to have an impact on insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Research suggests that individuals with lower levels of vitamin D may have reduced insulin sensitivity, which can contribute to the development of insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes

Two Types

IN diabetes type 1, the pancreas does not make insulin ; Question arises WHY?

Type 1- Directly linked to levels of Vitamin D in the body

Vitamin D (triggers) — — — — -receptors (present at the surface of B-cell in the pancreas i.e. these B-cells are responsible for insulin secretions — — — — — insulin then regulates the transfer of glucose from blood to body cells (where the need of energy arises)

The insulin secretion improves by vitamin D supplementation.

Reports show that glucose stimulated insulin secretion was reduced in islets from vitamin D deficiencies.