Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/532377
VITAMIN D and Diabetes Robert Pedowitz, DO board-certified physician Diabetes Risk Factors Did you know that one in three American adults has prediabetes? Being overweight is the most significant risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes, in addition to being over age 45. Other contributing causes you may not be aware of include: • Being physically inactive • Having a parent or sibling with diabetes • Having a family background that is African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino or Pacific Islander • Giving birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds or being diagnosed with gestational diabetes—diabetes first found during pregnancy • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Having polycystic ovary syndrome • Having impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) on previous testing • Having other conditions associated with insulin resistance, such as severe obesity or a condition called acanthosis nigricans, characterized by a dark, velvety rash around the neck or armpits • Having a history of cardiovascular disease For more information about prediabetes and what you can do to prevent diabetes, visit CentraState.com/Diabetes-Services. To find a CentraState physician, call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). FREE Glucose (Sugar) Screenings Every Monday 10 am–4 pm (Some evenings and Saturdays available) The Novo Nordisk Diabetes Center at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus To register, call 732-308-0570 or visit CentraStateDiabetesCenter.com. (Must be 17 or older and not previously diagnosed with diabetes. Fasting is recommended.) While you're out enjoying the sun this summer (hopefully while employing the proper sun protection), you should be getting plenty of the "sunshine vitamin," a.k.a. vitamin D. But did you know that there is a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes? One recent study found that more than 90 percent of people with diabetes also had deficient levels of vitamin D. "Studies have already proven that carrying extra weight around the midsection increases the risk of several serious health conditions, including diabetes," says Robert Pedowitz, DO, board-certified family medicine physician and on staff at CentraState. "People with larger waistlines also often have lower vitamin D levels because, in part, fat tissue traps this important nutrient and keeps it out of your bloodstream. Now, we've found there is a strong correlation between low vitamin D levels and the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes." It is estimated that as many as 75 percent of Americans are now deficient in vitamin D. Historically, we maintained our levels just by going outside and getting a little fresh air. But today, many of us barely have time to enjoy even a few minutes in the sun while running from home to the car to the office and back. "Though current guidelines call for 600 to 800 IU daily, many researchers believe we may need significantly more," Dr. Pedowitz says. "However, keep in mind, taking too much vitamin D may be dangerous. In fact, high doses, anything more than 4000 IU per day, may be detrimental over a long period of time." Summer 2015 Healthy Directions 8