vitamin D supplements could reduce young children developing type 1 diabetes

A UK study has suggested that vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of young children developing type 1 diabetes later in life.

Published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, researchers used data taken from five studies examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation.

After pooling and analysing the results from 6000 cases, researchers found that children who took vitamin D supplements were 30% less likely to develop the condition than those who did not.

The findings suggested that the younger children are when they receive the supplement the more protection against later development of type 1 diabetes. How much and how often the supplement was given also affected the likelihood of developing the condition.

Previous research conducted by JDRF has found that people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have lower concentrations of vitamin D. It is also known that type 1 diabetes is more common in countries where exposure to sunlight is lower.

Researchers say that one explanation is that vitamin D, usually received through diet and sunlight, may be partly absorbed in the body through pancreatic and immune cells.

JDRF Australia Research Manager Dr Dorota Pawlak emphasizes that while these results provide support for a simple and accessible way to reduce type 1 diabetes risk, there are dangers involved with over-exposure to vitamin D.

“One of the best sources of vitamin D is from the sun, something that Australians have been warned to avoid for very good reasons. While sunscreen does a wonderful job of reducing skin cancer risk, it can also block vitamin D production.”

“Vitamin D supplements are available, but they can be toxic in large doses so it is very important that parents consult with their GP or specialist before starting supplementation.”

Large-scale international clinical trials such as the TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young) Study have been established by JDRF to identify the environmental and lifestyle factors that trigger or protect against type 1 diabetes.

The results of these trials, while still a few years away, will conclusively prove whether supplements such as vitamin D have a substantial effect.

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