Friday, September 14, 2007

Supplemental vitamin D and calcium reduces risk of diabetes

The incidence of type-2 diabetes is lower among women who get adequate calcium and supplement with vitamin D. Researchers used data from the Nurses Health Study, which includes over 83,000 women, to study the relationship of calcium and vitamin D intake to type-2 diabetes.


After 20 years of follow-up, it was concluded that a combined daily intake of over 1,200 mg of calcium and more than 800 IU of vitamin D was associated with a 33 percent lower risk of type-2 diabetes. Interestingly, dietary vitamin D intake did not appear to provide any statistically significant benefit. But the women who supplemented with at least 400 IU of vitamin D had a 13% lower risk of diabetes when compared to those who took less than 100 IU per day. Both dietary and supplemental calcium resulted in decreased risk of type-2 diabetes, and those with overall intakes above 1,200 mg had a 21% lower risk than those who got less than 600 mg per day.

Elevated intakes of calcium and vitamin D, especially from supplements, are significantly associated with lower incidence of type-2 diabetes.

Diabetes Care 29:650-656, 2006


The results from this study are truly amazing! While generally it is best to get vitamins and minerals from one's diet, this study actually shows that sometimes it is better to get them from a nutritional supplement. Again we see the benefits of Vitamin D which seems to have almost limitless benefits to the human body (search above for "Vitamin D" to find other articles on the benefits of Vitamin D).

On a side note, how many more studies need to surface highlighting the ways we can lower our risk of Type-2 Diabetes? This study is proof that a low glycemic diet is not our only line of defense against Type-2 diabetes--nutritional supplements combine for an amazing 1 - 2 punch!

For the highest quality nutritional supplements and low glycemic meal replacement shakes, we recommend USANA Health Sciences. Visit www.WholeNutrition.Usana.com for direct from the manufacturer pricing and secure internet ordering!

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