More research shows that Vitamin D lowers the risk of developing diabetes

During a 17 year follow-up of 4000 plus people scientists from the National Public health Institute in Finland have found that people with a higher blood level of active Vitamin D have a significant 40% decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with lower levels of the vitamin. The study is published in the October 2007 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.

In diabetic patients, DHEA reduces inflammation, free radical activity, and glycation while improving the levels of the antioxidants Vitamin E and Glutathione

The level of free radicals was compared between 20 healthy subjects free of diabetes who served as the control population and 20 patients with diabetes; the level of oxidative free radicals was much higher in the diabetics than in the healthy controls. The level of Pentosidine, a glycation end product was also much higher in diabetics. Pentosidine is strongly connected with inflammation.

The 20 patients with diabetes were then supplemented with 50mg of DHEA daily or inactive placebo for 12 weeks. The level of reactive oxygen species (the free radicals that damage tissues) dropped by 53% in blood plasma after DHEA supplementation and so did a major marker of lipid peroxidation (as measured by a drop in hydroxynonenal) by 47%. The level of Glutathione increased by 38% and the level of Vitamin E increased by 76%. There was a marked drop in the level of Pentosidine and TNF-alpha activity also decreased; both of these are major constituents or signs of inflammation. DHEA supplementation likely has a beneficial effect on reducing the onset and progression of chronic complications that accompany diabetes. The study was performed at different medical research institutions in Turin and is published in the November 2007 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.