Study finds association between genetics, vitamin D, and diabetes prevention
A Tufts University study involving over 2,000 adults with prediabetes found that vitamin D may help prevent diabetes in individuals with specific genetic variations, though further research is needed.
Research led by scientists from Tufts University found that some adults can delay or prevent diabetes with vitamin D, according to a news release.
The research stemmed from the D2d study. More than 2,000 American adults with prediabetes participated.
The scientists sought to find if any prediabetes patients could benefit from vitamin D.
Key findings:
Vitamin D was not beneficial for adults containing the AA variation of the ApaI vitamin D receptor gene regarding diabetes prevention.
Those with the AC or CC variations of the vitamin D receptor gene were 19% less likely to develop diabetes.
Further research is needed, according to the authors, but they warned that “the findings do not mean people should start taking high doses of vitamin D on their own to prevent diabetes.” They cited current vitamin D guidelines for intake recommendations.
