Vitamin D 

Vitamin D has important role to play in life of diabetics. It is derived from food and also made by the body in presence of sunlight.

Effects

Vitamin D or Ergocalciferol, or cholecarciferol has many important effects in our body. It helps in absorption of Cacium and phosphorus from the foods that we consume and their deposition in bones to make them strong. Vitamin D has many other roles as well- it helps build immunity and fight against infections, Vitamin D may also be helpful in treatment of depression. Some studies have shown that deficiency of vitamin D may cause and increase in insulin resistance and lead to overt Diabetes.

Deficiency of Vitamin D and symptoms

Deficiency of Vitamin D causes demineralization of bones making them soft and highly prone to fractures - this condition is called osteoporosis, adequate bone growth may not take place in children with deficiency of Vitamin D. Deficiency of Vitamin D is also associated with diseases like High Blood Pressure, Atherosclerosis ( clogging of blood vessels), Heart attcks, Inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, psoriasis and associated arthritis. Vitamin D is also used in treatment of some cancers like breast cancer, as it kills some cancerous cells .

Dietary sources of Vitamin D

Interesting to note that Vitamin D can be made only in presence of sunlight, either in human beings  lower animals or plants. Good source of Vitamin D is Fish oil and Cod Liver oil - even fishes contain vit-D which has been made by algae that they eat only in presence of sunlight. Molluscs, ( highest Vit-D content), Beef Liver, Fatty fishes- Herring, mackerel, Eel,Salmon, Sardine, Tuna, Catfish,, Eggs, chicken and poultry;  Milk and milk products like yoghurt, cheese also contain Vitamin albeit in smaller quantities.

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Diabetes and Vitamin D

Presence of Vitamin D receptor in cells of pancreas and the and the fact that decreased Vitamin D also decreases insulin secretion ( even though in animal study) has again highlighted the importance of Vitamin D in Diabetes. Adequate intake of Vitamin D may be protective against development of Diabetes, as has been shown in a study conducted by Anastassios et al. New England centre of Medicine. Type 2 Diabetes generaly affects the elderly - this also is the agegroup of population suffering from Osteoporosis, hence it may be prudent for every Diabetic to take adequate supplementation of Vitamin D with food or as advised by doctor to avoid fractures associated with weak bones.

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