Vitamin D Supplementation Protects Children from Type 1 Diabetes
Children given additional vitamin D were approximately 30% less likely to have Type 1 diabetes in later life vs. those not given the supplement, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis reported in the March 2008 issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. The study looked at 4 case-control studies which showed a decreased risk for Type 1 diabetes in 1,429 cases with vitamin D supplementation vs. 5,026 controls.
Higher vitamin D doses might be more effective in decreasing risk for type 1 diabetes:
- In one study, risk of Type 1 diabetes decreased by 19% when cod liver oil use was 4 times per week or less and 26% when cod liver oil was given more than 5 times per week .
- In a cohort study, the risk for type 1 diabetes decreased 78% with regular use of recommended 2,000 IU a day of vitamin D dose vs. regular use of less than recommended vitamin D dose.
- Risk for Type 1 diabetes was lower if cod liver oil was started between 7 and 12 months of age vs. between birth and 6 months of age.
Reference:
Arch Dis Child. Published online March 13, 2008.
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Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
