An increasing body of research is pointing to vitamin D from sunshine, food or nutritional supplements as benefitting peoples health in a number of ways.
The latest area seems to involve the prevention and control of diabetes. In a review article published in the latest issue of Diabetes Educator, researchers suggest that getting enough vitamin D can potentially help people delay the onset of diabetes and prevent complications associated with the condition.
Because vitamin D does not naturally occur in many foods, the researchers suggest that supplementation may be necessary to consume appropriate levels.
One study reviewed found that people with type 1 diabetes taking vitamin D nutritional supplements had a decreased risk of disease.
“Management of vitamin D deficiency may be a simple and cost-effective method to improve blood sugar control and prevent the serious complications associated with diabetes,” explained study coauthor Joanne Kouba of Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
Some of the best food sources for vitamin D are fatty fish, egg yolks and liver.