Vitamin D

[Lindsey]

Lately, I've heard a lot about how vitamin D deficiency is some of the leading causes of major diseases. Diabetes being one of them.

Last year, I found out that my vitamin D levels were deficient, although I have no idea for how long. So I began taking supplements (much more than the government recommends) and only a year into it saw any results. Now my vitamin D is increased, but still not out of the deficient range.

I know that increasing my vitamin D level won't reverse diabetes, although it will prevent future complications and it also lessens the bone pain that I was experiencing from the start of osteomalacia. I wish that it would reverse the damage done to my body by diabetes as well...I wish that vitamin D was the cure.

But sadly, it isn't. In fact, I don't even think it's what caused my diabetes in the first place. I believe mine was caused by an attack on my immune system by vaccines when I was 4 years old mixed with a genetic predisposition towards diabetes. The fact that my father was recently diagnosed instills in me that it is completely genetic, but it isn't a "done deal" in that area. If you have the genes for it, it doesn't mean you will get it. It just means you're at risk for it if you experience immune system issues, environmental factors, etc.

But anyway, I'm just wondering how many diabetics out there have their vitamin D levels checked. Could it be that newly diagnosed diabetics might be helped to reverse it if they increase their vitamin D levels? If our beta cells haven't completely stopped producing insulin, couldn't an increase in vitamin D help restore the remaining cells? Is vitamin D one step closer to a cure for newly diagnosed patients?

[Lindsey]

Great article, Jessica! Well...to your brother! So interesting to hear that fellow types are deficient as well...too bad it's not reversible with high amounts!

[Jessica Apple]

My husband and I both have type 1 and we were both vitamin D deficient. Here's an article my brother wrote on vitamin D: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/11180df8-beaa-11de-b4ab-00144feab49a.html

[Gathoni Kamau]

I haven't had mine checked but I will be sure to get it checked out. I also do have a developing bald patch in the middle of my head and I have decided to chop off my hair. Maybe a deficiency in vitamin D might be the reason why this is happening. My hair dresser and I have always been deeply puzzled by this. We have always assumed that maybe it was stress related or something (?, I know we are not medical professionals).

[Lindsey]

I take 5000 IU 7 days a week, probably will start cutting back in a few months. I started with 2000 then went up and up until finally the serum D went up...long process. I also had a problem with low B12 levels...I wonder if the diabetes makes our absorption decrease? Hmm...

My best friend has Alopecia. Biotin can sometimes help with that, I know it helped her hair get fuller so the spots were less noticeable. :) Maybe it would help with the "crop circle."