Brussels, 16 October 2017 – Higher Vitamin D levels, starting from a minimum dose of 4000 international units per day (4000 IU/d, or 100 μg/d), help considerably glycemic response and insulin sensitivity in in type 2 diabetic patients, a new scientific study has found.[1] The researchers obtained this result raising Vitamin D values to above 40 ng/ml, which is about twice as high as the current recommendation for the general population.
Nowadays there are no doubts anymore on the role Vitamin D plays to develop healthy bones and guarantee proper functioning of the immune system. The findings of the study are consistent with a growing body of scientific evidence, pointing at a wider range of health benefits to be drawn from higher Vitamin D levels, which can be obtained through moderate and regular sunlight exposure.
Another study showed that increased Vitamin D intakes halved the risk of experiencing an asthma exacerbation requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids: the authors found that this effect did not differ across different types of patients.[2]. These conclusions are of great value considering that one billion people in the world are estimated to be Vitamin D deficient, with levels below 20 ng/ml in the bloodstream. In particular, the researchers stressed that the effects of vitamin D benefited more people with the lowest Vitamin D levels.
Frank Harbusch, Secretary General of the European Sunlight Association (ESA), said: “We are glad to see that further scientific evidence is gathered on the multifaceted importance of Vitamin D for the human body. This confirms our approach to aim at a higher baseline for daily recommendations of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin”.
You can download the press release here.
[1] Mirhosseini N., Vatanparast H., Mazidi M., Kimball S. The effect of improved serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status on glycemic control in diabetic patients: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2017-01024.
[2] Joliffe D. et al., Vitamin D supplementation to prevent asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data, Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 3 October 2017.
