Vitamin D Linked to Diabetes, Cancer, Depression, and More

New evidence shows that people with higher levels of vitamin D experienced a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University just released its study linking low levels of vitamin D to diabetes in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The authors of the study concluded that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels in the blood may be a type 2 diabetes prevention strategy.

Other recent research found that vitamin D plays a critical role in activating the body’s immune system against infectious diseases like the flu. Researchers noted that a deficiency in this important vitamin, which actually acts more like a hormone in your body, may result in a greater risk of contracting flu viruses. Additional research has linked low amounts of vitamin D to autoimmune disorders, cancer, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.

Vitamin D also plays essential roles in supporting our energy and balancing our moods. It also helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the health of the thyroid gland-a butterfly gland in the throat that helps maintain a healthy weight, balanced metabolism, and energy levels.

While moderate sunlight exposure is the best source of vitamin D, many people incorrectly think that a small amount of sunshine exposure daily is sufficient to meet their vitamin D requirements. However, after your skin is exposed to sunlight, it takes about 48 hours to convert it into vitamin D. During that time, the sunlight-initiated precursors to vitamin D can be washed off with soap and water.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Tara B.

1:40PM PDT on May 2, 2013

The title is highly misleading, and makes vitamin D sound like a bad thing. Please don't be so careless in the future.

May 2
send a green star

Inge B.

11:27PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

Yes, this is great

April 15
send a green star

Jennah F.

11:17PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

good to know!

Elisa F.

5:17PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

So very informative! Thanks for sharing.

Melinda K.

4:44PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

thanks, informative.

MarilynBusy W.

1:13PM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

The problem with supplements is that they are not regulated, and a recent test/study found that many do not live up to delivering the dosage they promise.

Valerie L.

10:24AM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

I've been hearing a lot about the benefits of Vitamin D lately. I have included it in my vitamin regimen.

Freda Lee J.

7:39PM PDT on Apr 14, 2013

Very interesting thanks!