Taking a Vitamin D supplement can help prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes, a new study has found.
Researchers evaluated three clinical trials which followed participants supplementing with Vitamin D for three years on type 2 diabetes risk.
The results showed that 22.7% of participants who took Vitamin D developed type 2 diabetes, while 25% of those who took a placebo developed the same.
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The results were then applied to the 374 million adults worldwide with prediabetes, indicating that Vitamin D supplementation could delay the development of type 2 diabetes in over 10 million people.
Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps with the absorption of calcium in the gut and reduces inflammation in the body.
Vitamin D can also help regulate cell growth, immune function, and glucose metabolism.
Vitamin D is contained in various foods and is created by the body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The association between Vitamin D and diabetes has long been documented, although the actual cause remains unknown.
According to some theories, Vitamin D influences glycemic management and controls hormones in the body, lowering the risk of insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance can progress to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Low vitamin D levels have also been related to reduced beta cell activity in the pancreas, which produces insulin.
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The research required participants to take high quantities of Vitamin D of 4,000 IU per day.
Experts say this level of Vitamin D is safe but it is much higher than the recommended levels.
However, doctors emphasise that there is no evidence that Vitamin D alone helps prevent type 2 diabetes.
A low sugar diet and regular exercise are also crucial in reducing the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
The research was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
