Alternative Health Blog

In a cross-sectional study involving 170 South Asians with type 2 diabetes and 40 without (aged more than 40 years), results indicate a significantly higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and impaired glycemic control in diabetics. 83% of type 2 diabetics showed hypovitaminosis D, compared with 70% of controls. In men, 82.5% of diabetics had vitamin D deficiency, compared with 57.9% of controls. Among women, HbA1c was significantly higher in vitamin D deficient women, compared with controls. Using logistic regression, type 2 diabetes was an independent predictor of hypovitaminosis D, and vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with HbA1c in women with type 2 diabetes. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Hypovitaminosis D remains a major public health issue in the Asian population and is exaggerated in patients with T2DM. The fact that vitamin D deficient women had higher HbA1c levels raises the possibility that vitamin D replacement may improve g lycaemic control.”
 
Reference:
“The prevalence of vitamin D abnormalities in South Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UK,” Tahrani AA, Bates A, et al, Int J Clin Pract, 2009 Oct 27;