A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics has shown that a surprising number of young diabetics do not have sufficient vitamin D levels, suggesting that supplementation with this critical vitamin may be especially important for these individuals.
The study examined vitamin D levels (in the form of 25-hydroxyvitamin D) in the blood of 128 youths aged 18 months to 17.5 years with type 1 diabetes. It was found that 61% had insufficient vitamin D levels and 15% demonstrated outright deficiencies. Deficiencies were especially common among the older youths included in the study, which may be linked to decreased consumption of vitamin D fortified milk by adolescents.
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones, and deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to poor mineralization of the bones or can prevent bones from reaching an optimal density. This is especially problematic for type 1 diabetics, as diabetes has been shown to negatively affect bone health, and has been associated with a reduction in bone density and increased fracture risk. The combination of low vitamin D levels and type 1 diabetes could lead to very negative effects on bone health. For this reason, the authors of the study suggest that supplemental vitamin D could be beneficial to young people who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Svoren BM, Volkenning LK, Wood JR, Laffel LMB. Significant Vitamin D Deficiency in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Pediatrics. 2009; 154(1): 132-134.
For more information see Vitamin D3
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