Vitamin D, also called sunshine vitamin as it is obtained through the sunlight is an essential vitamin for the body. This fat-soluble vitamin is produced inside the body after a person is exposed to the sunlight. But it can also be obtained through food sources. The major functions of vitamin D are in bone health but healthy levels of vitamin D are also associated with preventing diabetes type 2.
In the case of low vitamin D levels, the body is highly susceptible to the preformation of the bones and related damages. But the new study finds that it also adds risk for diabetes type 2. The high serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is closely associated with a low risk of diabetes type 2.
The complete study findings are published in the journal Diabetes Care.
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Mengying Wang along with his colleagues from the Peking University in China have worked to find what’s the link between 25OHD and low risk of diabetes type 2. They also investigated if this relation changes by changing sleep behaviors or not.
They studied the data obtained from 350,211 people without diabetes and their details were taken from the U.K. Biobank.
During the 8 years-long study, 6,940 people were identified with diabetes. Among these diagnosed patients, serum 25OHD concentration was significantly low which suggests that they were probably vitamin D deficient.
They were also able to find out a clear connection between the sleeping patterns and the risk of diabetes caused by 25OHD. Those who experienced a healthy sleeping cycle had a high concentration of 25OHD and diabetes was less likely. Sleeping during the day was probably the closest match with 25OHD.
Those who didn’t sleep during the day and had a regular sleep cycle were less likely to get type 2 diabetes. Excessive sleep and sleeping during the day were not only affecting the quality of life but also the risk of diabetes type 2. Vitamin D is an immunity booster and there is plenty of research that suggests its effective role in multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, and flu. It also alleviates stress and depression, making sure that it improving the mood of its users.
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Not many people know that vitamin D supplements also help in weight loss. using calcium and vitamin D supplements together improves bone density and has an appetite suppressing benefit. Vitamin D can be obtained through foods such as milk, egg, fish, oranges, yogurt, and cereal. Those who find it hard to get it from the food can also consider vitamin D supplements.
Medical experts warn people to pay attention to vitamin D deficiency. It shows up like unexplained tiredness, body pains, bone problems, muscle pain, high risk of fractures, injuries, etc.
The researchers confirm that these new findings may explain that strategies to prevent diabetes should be re-valued. The role of vitamin D levels should be considered and anyone who is generally at risk of diabetes should be given vitamin D supplements and sleep, regulators. In addition to this, the dangers of daytime sleeping should be told to the general public. It is necessary to know how simple and apparently harmless habits can significantly risk health.