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Scientists have said that no genetic evidence have been found that suggests the high levels of vitamin D can lead to prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Several previous research works have ignited a rigorous debate by suggesting possible link between vitamin D deficiency and onset of diabetes the blood sugar disease. According to these studies, the elevated levels of vitamin D may help in protecting people against type 2 diabetes.
In a bid to find out the answers, the UK-based researchers carried a study to probe any possible association between vitamin D deficiency and the blood sugar disease. For the study, the researchers focused on genes that control blood levels of vitamin D.
The researchers found no linkage between different variants of these genes and the type 2 diabetes risk.
Study author Dr. Nita Forouhi, of the University of Cambridge’s School of Clinical Medicine, said, “Our findings suggest that interventions to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by raising the vitamin D concentrations are not currently justified.”
She further said that the observational studies that showed a higher type 2 diabetes risks among those with lower levels of vitamin D may be because these studies have been unable to adequately control or sideline the distorting or confounding factors like physical activity levels.
The study’s findings also added to the evidence showing that taking vitamin D supplements does not prevent a person from developing the blood sugar disease.
Forouhi said that diet and exercise are the only scientifically proven ways to prevent type 2 diabetes.
The findings were published on Tuesday in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
