Insulin resistance is when cells in your body don’t respond well or are resistant to insulin which leads to increased blood sugar and eventually type 2 diabetes (T2D). The prevalence of T2D has been increasing over the past decade and more than 34 million Americans are living with this disease. Worse, T2D, formerly called “adult-onset diabetes” because it often develops in people over the age of 45 years, is being diagnosed more and more in young children and teenagers with life-long consequences. Insulin resistance is often accompanied by other symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levels, and excess body fat around the waist.

Pre-diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance, in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes and approximately 80% don’t even know it. It often takes several years for type 2 diabetes symptoms to develop, and because the symptoms are hard to spot, it can go on for a long time without being noticed. This means that you can have prediabetes or even type 2 diabetes and not know it. The good news is you can prevent it.

Research has linked vitamin D to improved insulin resistance, insulin secretion, and beta-cell function and survival. Studies have shown that the risk of developing insulin resistance and/or diabetes over time increases with lower vitamin D levels. Because of this observation, Lei et al. recently completed a meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 20 observational studies to more clearly define the relationship between vitamin D, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

This study looked at how both vitamin D supplementation and vitamin D serum levels were related to insulin resistance and the progression of type 2 diabetes. The authors found that, compared to those receiving only the standard treatment for diabetes, those also being treated with vitamin D supplementation saw significantly better improvements for serum insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR (a measurement of insulin sensitivity). When analyzing the data by vitamin D serum level, an even stronger correlation was found for all three measures compared to analysis by supplement intake.

Vitamin D, as 1,25(OH)2D, plays a regulatory role in insulin secretion as well as the function and survival of the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas (beta-cells). Vitamin D deficiency impairs insulin sensitivity (or promotes insulin resistance) because 1,25(OH)2D activates insulin receptors on cells throughout the body, which in turn affects their sensitivity to insulin. Overall, vitamin D is needed for insulin to be made and it is needed for cells to respond to insulin.

Further, vitamin D protects against type 2 diabetes by regulating inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation, frequently observed in obese individuals, is involved in the development of insulin resistance by interfering with normal sugar metabolism and disrupting insulin signaling. Vitamin D regulates the inflammatory response and higher blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with lower levels of C reactive protein, a general marker of inflammation in the body.

If you have one or more risk factors or experience any symptoms of diabetes outlined in this previous blog, you may be at risk for type 2 diabetes. Measuring the percentage of hemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c, in the blood provides information about the average blood glucose levels over the prior few months. Knowing your HbA1c, vitamin D, and inflammation levels can enable you to focus your health efforts on lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, improving omega-3 status and magnesium intake, decreasing inflammation, and increasing vitamin D levels to 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L), all of which can help prevent, or even reverse, prediabetes.

Measure all of the above with the Inflammation Panel plus Magnesium test kit.

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Choose which to measure, such as your vitamin D, omega-3s, and essential minerals including magnesium and zinc, by creating your custom home test kit today. Take steps to improve the status of each of these measurements to benefit your overall health. With measurement you can then determine how much is needed and steps to achieve your goals. You can also track your own intakes, symptoms and results to see what works best for YOU.

The eBook, Vitamin D & COVID-19, A Summary of Published Research, is a condensed and concise compilation of much of the published research on vitamin D and COVID-19, easy to read and share as a downloadable, printable PDF. Your purchase helps to further public knowledge and education of this invaluable research! Be sure to educate yourself on the benefits and importance of vitamin D for immune health, and take steps to ensure you and your loved ones are getting enough.

Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.

Have a beautiful and HEALTHY day.

Onwards!