Vitamin D – a potent health promoter

If you think Vitamin D is just for kids who drink milk, think again! There is growing evidence to show that this vitamin has several amazing properties. For instance, a recent study prospectively examine the association between vitamin D and calcium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. In the Nurses' Health Study, scientists followed 83,779 women who had no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline for the development of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D and calcium intake from diet and supplements was assessed every 2-4 years. During 20 years of follow-up, they documented 4,843 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. They discovered that a combined daily intake of >1,200 mg calcium and >800 IU vitamin D was associated with a 33% lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared with an intake of <600 mg and 400 IU calcium and vitamin D, respectively. Thus, a combination of vitamin D and calcium intake reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes.[1] Also, in two U.S. cohorts, higher intakes of vitamin D were associated with lower risks for pancreatic cancer. So there is a potential role for vitamin D in the pathogenesis and prevention of pancreatic cancer.[2] Thus, it is becoming clear that vitamin D protects against other chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers, all of which are as prevalent or more prevalent among blacks than whites. Clinicians and educators should be encouraged to promote vitamin D supplementation and its potentially broad health benefits.[3]

References
1. Pittas, A.G., et al., Vitamin D and calcium intake in relation to type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care, 2006. 29(3): p. 650-6.
2. Skinner, H.G., et al., Vitamin D intake and the risk for pancreatic cancer in two cohort studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2006. 15(9): p. 1688-95.
3. Harris, S.S., Vitamin D and African Americans. J Nutr, 2006. 136(4): p. 1126-9.

 

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