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Sunshine & Diabetes

Recent studies have indicated that diabetes, a chronic disease with complications including cardiovascular disease and neuropathy, can be prevented by getting enough sunshine. Researchers believe vitamin D produced in the body when exposed to sunlight reduces the risk of diabetes.

  1. Studies

    • A review article, published in "Diabetes Educator," by researchers from the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University, found that vitamin D may prevent or delay onset of diabetes and reduce complications for people who have it. The review considered studies of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to Medical News Today.com. Another study, led by Dr. Cedric F. Garland, professor of Family and Preventive Medicine in the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, found a relationship between sunlight exposure in different geographical regions and the development of type 1 diabetes.

    Influence of Geography

    • The study by Dr. Garland and fellow researchers, published June 5, 2008 in the online version of "Diabetologia," found lower incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in populations at or near the equator and higher rates at higher latitudes, with scarce available sunshine. The researchers plotted incident rates for 51 regions according to latitude on a graph, producing a parabolic curve that resembled a smile. The scientists accounted for lower per capita health care expenditures in regions located near the equator, which could have resulted in under-reporting of the disease.

    Recommendations

    • Dr. Garland and his fellow researchers concluded that childhood type 1 diabetes may be preventable with vitamin D3 intake and sunlight exposure. Dr. Garland recommends an intake of 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 per day for children with the addition of five to 10 minutes of sunlight around noontime, PhysOrg.com reports. Infants under a year old should not be given more than 400 IU per day without consulting a doctor, Dr. Garland added. The recommended dose reported by the Globe and Mail.com was 1,000 to 2,000 IU or less in sunny locations or during the summer. Medical News Today.com, writing on the "Diabetes Educator" review article, suggested a combination of adequate dietary intake of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements to decrease risk of diabetes, with the preferred range in the body being 30 to 60 ng/mL of 25 (OH) vitamin D.

    Considerations

    • Currently the Food and Nutrition Board's recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D intake is 200 IU for children under 13, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet for vitamin D. However, these recommendations, established in 1997, are under review by the FNB and a report expected to be issued in September, 2010. Researchers currently recommend increasing the upper intake level from 2000 to 10,000 IU for adults and the RDA for children from 200 to 400 IU, according to Vita Medica.com. The issue of sun exposure, too, is a difficult one. Some vitamin D researchers suggest that five to 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs or back without sunscreen leads to sufficient vitamin D synthesis, according to the Office of Dietary recommendations fact sheet.

    Solution

    • Dr. Garland indicated that hats and dark glasses are a good idea during sun exposure at any age and can be used during a child's sun exposure if she will tolerate them, according to PhysOrg.com. Considering the complexity of the issues involved, individuals with concerns about vitamin D deficiency and appropriate measures should probably consult a physician or pediatrician.

    Additional Insight

    • The American Association of Diabetes does not currently advocate vitamin D supplementation for people with diabetes who do not have underlying deficiencies, according to a Jan. 25, 2010 article in "Diabetes Monitor."

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