Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a symptom and problem for many people with diabetes. If you are diabetic, monitoring your blood sugar level is a routine part of your day. Recent studies like the one published in "Southern Medical Journal" make a connection between vitamin D deficiency and the development of Type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that can be found in only a select variety of foods, including fortified milk and oily fish such as salmon. Receiving enough vitamin D from your daily diet is near impossible. However, your body is able to produce vitamin D on its own when your skin is exposed to the ultra-violet B rays from the sun. Recent pushes for limited sun exposure and sunscreen have led to an increase in vitamin D deficiency. According to a 2009 study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" as many as 77 percent of Americans have low levels of vitamin D or are deficient.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when your blood sugar drops to a level below 70mg/dL. Hypoglycemia occurs when your body uses blood sugar too quickly or releases glucose into the bloodstream too slowly, or if you have too much insulin. This is a common complication if you have diabetes. Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms such as convulsions, double vision, fast heart rate, headache, shaking, nervousness, fainting or even seizures.
Medical Research
Numerous studies have been conducted looking at the connection between vitamin D deficiencies and diabetes and the regulation of blood sugars. A 2011 study published in the "Southern Medical Journal" looked at the connection between vitamin D deficiency and the development of Type 2 diabetes. The study showed that continual vitamin D deficiency can worsen the complications associated with diabetes. Another study from 2009 published in the journal "Clinical Calcium" showed that diabetics and their likelihood of vitamin D deficiency put them at a greater risk of bone fractures due to the softening of bones that a vitamin D deficiency can cause. With bouts of hypoglycemia causing poor visual acuity at times, the chances of falling are greater.
Considerations
If you have diabetes, it is a good idea to consult with your physician regarding your vitamin D status. Your physician can have your vitamin D blood levels checked and if a deficiency is discovered, he can treat you. Once optimal range is achieved, he can create a vitamin D supplement program for you to maintain those levels.
References
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004; Adit A. Ginde, MD et al.; March 23, 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- MedlinePlus; Hypoglycemia; May 10, 2010
- "Southern Medical Journal"; Protean Manifestations of Vitamin D Deficiency, Part 2: Deficiency and its Association with Autoimmune Disease, Cancer, Infection, Asthma, Dermopathies, Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes; DS Bell; May 2011
- "Clinical Calcium"; Risk Factors for Falls in Diabetics and Measures for Prevention; T. Horiuchi; September 2009
- "Diabetes Care"; Vitamin D Levels, Microvascular Complications, and Mortality in Type 1 Diabetes; C. Joergensen et al.; May 2011
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