Optimum vitamin D level can control diabetes: Study

A study conducted by a Kerala-based research institution has found that optimising vitamin D levels in the blood could improve diabetes control. The significant observation, in the wake of emerging evidence of close links between low vitamin D levels and major disorders, including cancers and fractures, was made in a research paper presented by Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centre, Kerala, at the recently held American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) international convention in Orlando, in the USA.

The team of researchers from various branches of the institute screened 2,134 diabetes patients for vitamin D deficiency and found it was severe in 60 per cent and moderately in 27pc. “Vitamin D status may be optimised for better glycaemic (blood sugar) control,” the study said, stressing on the need for further well-designed studies to elucidate the level of effect. 

In yet another presentation at the international convention, the research team from Kerala came up with a ‘T1D risk scorecard’ for treating children with type 1 diabetes.

As per the study conducted over a period of 6-12 months the predictors of success were the educational status of parents, affection and care from an elder sibling and affordability to procure newer devices, while those of failure included getting attracted to magical remedies and alternative therapies and anxiety, depression and mood swings. With this risk score, physicians can easily identify those subjects likely to fail, thereby implementing effective preventive strategies and individualised approach, according to Jothydev Kesavadev, who led the research team.

The reasons for failure, however, are multiple and varies from one region to the other, and identifying the risk factors with the help of a T1D score card will help overcome psychological, social and cultural challenges which otherwise limit the longevity of Type 1 kids, the study pointed out.

The research team also included Banshi Saboo, Arun Shankar, Sunitha Jothydev, Gopika Krishnan, Shashank Joshi and Hemani Thacker. (ToI)