Diabetes and Vitamin D: Let the Sunshine In!

I just found out that my vitamin D level is low.   How could this be?   After all, I live in sunny Florida, where we have an estimated 300 days of sunshine per year!  I even take my daily multivitamin, plus calcium + vitamin D, but I do wear sunscreen every day.

In one study, 91% of people with diabetes were deficient in vitamin D (1).  Knowing my personal experience, I am not surprised.   Past studies have shown that vitamin D may also help keep blood sugars levels under control for type 2 diabetes (2).  It is thought that it plays a role by increasing the release of insulin.  For type 1 diabetes, a study published this month also concluded that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased mortality (3).

How do you know?  If your vitamin D level is low, you may have bone pain or muscle weakness, but many symptoms are subtle.

What do you do?

1. Get your level checked.  Ask your doctor.
2. Make sure you are getting 10-15 min. of sunshine per day, without sunscreen.
3. Eat foods with vitamin D:  fish, milk/soy milk, cereals, fortified orange juice, mushrooms

^References:

^{(1)Esther Krug, MD, ENDO 2010, 92 Annual Meeting and Expo, Endocrine Society, June 19-22, San Diego}

^{(2)Diabetes Care, Feb. 2011}