Vitamin supplement may delay diabetes in select groups, researchers say
There were some limitations to the study, the researchers noted, including that this was a secondary analysis rather than a primary randomized comparison.
“Like any other first observation, this finding needs to be replicated in a future study,” the researcher said.
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The study only included individuals with prediabetes, which could limit relevance to broader populations. The results seen in specific genetic groups need to be confirmed in more studies before doctors can use them in patient care.
“I would not advise older adults to take a daily dose of 4,000 IU of vitamin D without first consulting with their doctors,” the researchers said. (iStock)
The authors emphasized that people should not start taking high doses of vitamin D as a diabetes prevention strategy based on this study.
“It is too early to make specific recommendations for the general population,” Dawson-Hughes said.
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Current recommendations suggest that most adults get about 600 IU of vitamin D daily (ages 1–70) and 800 IU for those over 70. However, previous studies have shown that taking very high doses can be harmful for older adults.
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“There is some evidence, from my laboratory and others, that the relatively high blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D needed to achieve the diabetes risk reduction have been associated with an increased risk of falling in older adults,” Dawson-Hughes noted.
“I would not advise older adults to take a daily dose of 4,000 IU of vitamin D without first consulting with their doctors.”
Adults with prediabetes also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the researcher noted. (iStock)
This new study raises another question, according to Dawson-Hughes: Would vitamin D supplementation in adults with the responsive genotypes lower the risk of developing prediabetes, the forerunner to Type 2 diabetes?
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“This is important because prediabetes is not a benign condition,” she said. “Adults with prediabetes also have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/vitamin-supplement-may-delay-diabetes-select-groups-researchers-say