title: Vitamin D, glucose, insulin, and insulin sensitivity.
abstract: This review examines available evidence of links between abnormalities of glucose and insulin metabolism and vitamin D deficiency. Possible mechanisms of action of vitamin D include stimulation of insulin secretion and effects on insulin sensitivity. Sun exposure usually implies greater outdoor physical activity, which in itself may have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, unrelated to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. The observed associations in humans among vitamin D, insulin, and glucose metabolism have not yet been confirmed by intervention studies and, hence, a causal association has not been established. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether vitamin D treatment of vitamin D-deficient individuals is able to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide Department of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia. kamilia.tai@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kamilia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Allan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Need
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D014807:Vitamin D