title: Vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Type 2 diabetes is a major public health problem, accounting for significant premature mortality and morbidity. The growth in prevalence of the condition appears to be closely linked with obesity. Over the last 5 years, a number of large observational studies have suggested an association between the onset of type 2 diabetes and Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has important effects on insulin action, and may impact on a number of pathways which may be of importance in the development of type 2 diabetes. This article reviews the evidence linking Vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and suggests areas for urgent further research to determine whether Vitamin D replacement has a role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK.
authors.forename: Zehra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ozfirat
authors.forename: Tahseen A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications*