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Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes mellitus
S Cangoz1, Y-Y Chang, S J Chempakaseril
1School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
|December 11, 2012
Summary
While adequate vitamin D is essential for bone health, routine testing and high-dose supplementation are not evidence-based for preventing or treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels is important for overall health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency (hypovitaminosis D) is linked to bone health and potentially general health.
- Emerging research suggests a connection between hypovitaminosis D and the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
- The perceived safety of vitamin D has led to widespread adoption of routine plasma vitamin D measurement and supplementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the evidence supporting routine vitamin D measurement and supplementation for type 2 diabetes.
- To differentiate between vitamin D's skeletal benefits and its proposed role in extra-skeletal conditions like T2DM.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and practice guidelines regarding vitamin D levels and health outcomes.
- Analysis of evidence for the causal relationship between hypovitaminosis D and T2DM.
- Assessment of the evidence-based foundation for current recommendations.
Main Results:
- Authoritative guidelines have increased recommended vitamin D levels based on skeletal benefits.
- There is a lack of compelling evidence establishing a causal link between hypovitaminosis D and extra-skeletal outcomes such as diabetes.
- Current evidence does not support vitamin D supplementation for T2DM prevention or treatment.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is generally advisable for patient health.
- Routine vitamin D level measurement in all patients is not evidence-based.
- Initiating high-dose vitamin D supplementation specifically for preventing or treating T2DM lacks scientific support.
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