Children with low levels of Vitamin D are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, scientists from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas have claimed.
The researchers believe their study could suggest that a deficiency in vitamin D could act as a trigger for the onset of Type 2 diabetes - but without further tests conceded that low vitamin D levels could play no role at all.
However, in the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism , Dr Micah Olson, said: "Although our study cannot prove causation, it does suggest that low vitamin D levels may play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes."
"Future studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of lower vitamin D levels in obese children, the amount and duration of treatment necessary to replenish vitamin D levels in these children and whether treatment with vitamin D can improve primary clinical endpoints such as insulin resistance."
Dr Iain Frame, director of the charity Diabetes UK told The Daily Telegraph that the study "adds to growing evidence of a link between low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes."
Posted by Robert Mair on 6/12/2011