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British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2010 - Volume 103, Issue 04  

Cambridge Journals Online - CUP Full-Text Page
British Journal of Nutrition (2010), 103:549-555 Cambridge University Press
Copyright © The Authors 2009
doi:10.1017/S0007114509992017

Full Papers

Human and Clinical Nutrition

Vitamin D supplementation reduces insulin resistance in South Asian women living in New Zealand who are insulin resistant and vitamin D deficient – a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Pamela R. von Hursta1 c1, Welma Stonehousea1 and Jane Coada2

a1 Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
a2 Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Article author query
von hurst pr [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
stonehouse w [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
coad j [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]

Abstract

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) has been shown to correlate with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Small, observational studies suggest an action for vitamin D in improving insulin sensitivity and/or insulin secretion. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of improved vitamin D status on insulin resistance (IR), utilising randomised, controlled, double-blind intervention administering 100 μg (4000 IU) vitamin D3 (n 42) or placebo (n 39) daily for 6 months to South Asian women, aged 23–68 years, living in Auckland, New Zealand. Subjects were insulin resistant – homeostasis model assessment 1 (HOMA1)>1·93 and had serum 25(OH)D concentration < 50 nmol/l. Exclusion criteria included diabetes medication and vitamin D supplementation >25 μg (1000 IU)/d. The HOMA2 computer model was used to calculate outcomes. Median (25th, 75th percentiles) serum 25(OH)D3 increased significantly from 21 (11, 40) to 75 (55, 84) nmol/l with supplementation. Significant improvements were seen in insulin sensitivity and IR (P = 0·003 and 0·02, respectively), and fasting insulin decreased (P = 0·02) with supplementation compared with placebo. There was no change in C-peptide with supplementation. IR was most improved when endpoint serum 25(OH)D reached ≥ 80 nmol/l. Secondary outcome variables (lipid profile and high sensitivity C-reactive protein) were not affected by supplementation. In conclusion, improving vitamin D status in insulin resistant women resulted in improved IR and sensitivity, but no change in insulin secretion. Optimal vitamin D concentrations for reducing IR were shown to be 80–119 nmol/l, providing further evidence for an increase in the recommended adequate levels. Registered Trial No. ACTRN12607000642482.

(Received June 04 2009)

(Revised August 06 2009)

(Accepted August 11 2009)

(Online publication September 28 2009)

Key Words:Vitamin D; Type 2 diabetes; Insulin resistance

Correspondence:

c1 Corresponding author: Pamela R. von Hurst, fax +64 9 443 9640, email p.r.vonhurst@massey.ac.nz

Footnotes

Abbreviations: FSG, fasting serum glucose; HOMA, homeostasis model assessment; IR, insulin resistance; MMP, matrix metalloproteinases; 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D