Vitamin D & Diabetes -- Connection?

I found a very interesting article yesterday at www.diabeticconnect.com about vitamin D defiency and Diabetes - which is interesting because when I had my bloodwork done in December, everything looked great - except my vitamin D level - which was 30 - which is the lowest it should be. My doctor doubled my dosage and I will have blood work done again in February to check my levels.

Before you run out and buy Vitamin D and start taking it - check with your doctor and have your level checked first - too much can be just as bad for you as not enough. Here are some interesting facts about Vitamin D as highlighted in the article:

• Vitamin D is a fat- soluble vitamin; which means what the body doesn’t use it stores.
• Vitamin D is important for bone development
• Proper functioning of the muscles, intestines, pancreas, and brain.
• Emerging evidence supports the possible role of vitamin D in diseased prevention ranging from cancer to diabetes. The mechanism of disease prevention seems to be related to vitamin D’s ability to decrease cell proliferation, stopping the growth of new blood vessels(important in cancer prevention), and having anti-inflammatory effects.
• Some studies have postulated that vitamin D may lower the risk of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2.
• Weight loss is also a problem we all struggle with. Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, depression, stroke, and diabetes, just to name a few. Results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have found vitamin D to be associated with successful weight loss.

It's important that you know the results of all of your blood work - and that your doctor test your Vitamin D levels a couple of times per year. The more information you have about your own health situation, the more empowered you are to help yourself. Remember - you are your own health care advocate, so get involved!