Research Suggests Vitamin D Reduces Blood Sugar In Folks With Diabetes

Ranked as the ninth leading cause of mortality globally and contributing to more than 1 million annual deaths, it's no wonder that the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes, blood glucose spikes, and insulin resistance is a high priority in public health.

Glucose comes directly from our diet, so nutrition and other lifestyle habits play a massive role in the symptoms and pathways associated with Type 2 diabetes.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from BMC Endocrine Disorders, scientists investigated the theorized anti-diabetic properties of vitamin D—such as its ability to regulate insulin secretion (i.e., insulin sensitivity), modulate healthy inflammatory responses, and downregulate elevated parathyroid hormone levels.

Considering more than 37 million Americans have diabetes (90% of whom have Type 2 diabetes) and another 96 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, the significance of these findings can't be overstated.

The problem? Reaching and sustaining sufficient vitamin D status is much easier said than done. In fact, 29% of U.S. adults1 are deficient in vitamin D.

You see, foods with vitamin D don't have large enough amounts to make a dent in vitamin D levels—especially in individuals who are already deficient. "What about sunshine?" you may ask. Unfortunately, sunlight isn't a reliable source of vitamin D production for most people either, as it's influenced by a number of factors (e.g., age, biological sex, latitude, climate, time of year, skin tone, sunscreen use, and how much skin is exposed to sun). 

The optimal manner to effectively reach and sustain healthy vitamin D status (which leading wellness experts agree is a blood serum measurement of 50 ng/ml or higher) is through daily vitamin D supplementation.