Imagine a vitamin so powerful that it could help manage, or even help prevent, a serious illness that affects millions of people. This vitamin is vitamin D, often called the “sunshine vitamin.” It’s well known for helping keep bones strong, but some research suggests it might also help with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the cells that make insulin in the pancreas.

This article will look at how vitamin D and type 1 diabetes are connected, if vitamin D can help manage the condition, and whether people with type 1 diabetes should get more vitamin D from food or supplements. We’ll also see if vitamin D can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes.

What Is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones. It also plays a role in immune system health, reducing inflammation, and cell growth. There are two main types of vitamin D — D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Our bodies produce vitamin D3 when our skin is exposed to sunlight, which is why it’s called the sunshine vitamin.

Sources of Vitamin D

There are three main ways you can get vitamin D.

• Sunlight — When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D3.
• Food — Fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), fortified dairy products, and eggs are good sources of vitamin D.
• Supplements — Vitamin D supplements can help people who don’t get enough from sunlight or food.

Forms of Vitamin D Supplements

There are different types of supplements for boosting vitamin D intake:

• Vitamin D2 — Typically this form comes from plant sources, such as mushrooms. It’s available as a prescription and over-the-counter supplement.
• Vitamin D3 — This form comes from animal sources, such as fish oil or lanolin from sheep’s wool. There is also an animal-free form of vitamin D that comes from lichen available for those who are vegan. The D3 form of vitamin D is generally more effective at raising vitamin D levels in the blood and is widely available over the counter.

In addition to the different types of vitamin supplements, you can find supplements in different forms. These include:

• Capsules or tablets you can take with water
• Liquid drops that can be added to food or drinks — These are especially useful for children or those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
• Chewable tablets and gummies — These are favored by children and adults who prefer a tastier option or have trouble swallowing pills.
• Injections — These are typically administered in a health care setting for individuals with severe deficiencies or issues absorbing.

Best Way To Take Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it’s best absorbed when taken with a meal that contains fat. This helps the vitamin to be better absorbed by the body and maximizes its benefits. For example, taking vitamin D supplements with a meal that includes healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or olive oil can enhance absorption.

Recommended Amounts of Vitamin D

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin D in healthy adults aged 19 years or older is 600 international units (IU) daily. For adults 70 and up, the RDA is 800 IU daily.

The tolerable upper intake level is the maximum daily intake that is not likely to cause negative side effects, and that’s 4,000 IU for adults and children older than 9 years.

The Link Between Vitamin D and Type 1 Diabetes

Some research shows a possible link between low levels of vitamin D and type 1 diabetes. Studies have found that people with type 1 diabetes often have lower vitamin D levels than those without it. For example, one study showed that children with type 1 diabetes had much lower levels of vitamin D than other children.

How Vitamin D Might Protect Against Type 1 Diabetes

Vitamin D might protect against type 1 diabetes by reducing inflammation and helping the immune system work better. This can help stop the body from attacking the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels might increase the risk of getting type 1 diabetes, and fixing this can lower the risk.

Genetic Factors

Some research in children suggests that certain genes might make people more likely to get type 1 diabetes if they have low vitamin D. Studies have found that many people with type 1 diabetes have low vitamin D levels, especially those with certain genetic markers. This shows that vitamin D might help reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes With Vitamin D

There’s evidence that vitamin D might help manage type 1 diabetes. Here are some key points:

• Better blood sugar control — Higher vitamin D levels are linked to lower HbA1c levels, which measure long-term blood sugar control.
• Improved insulin sensitivity — Vitamin D helps the body use insulin better.
• Enhanced quality of life — Fixing low vitamin D levels can improve blood glucose (blood sugar) control and reduce type 1 diabetes symptoms.
• Insulin production — Vitamin D is important for making enough insulin and keeping blood glucose levels normal in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Reduced insulin resistance — Low vitamin D levels might be linked to insulin resistance, which makes managing type 1 diabetes more difficult.

Should People With Type 1 Diabetes Take Vitamin D Supplements?

If you’re curious about taking vitamin D supplements, make sure you talk to a doctor first.

Everyone’s vitamin D needs are different, depending on age, where they live, skin color, and health. It’s important to get personalized advice from a doctor to find out how much vitamin D you need.

Too much vitamin D can cause problems like hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood), which can be harmful.

If your doctor does recommend vitamin D supplements, shop with care. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements as rigorously as it does medications. Supplement packaging may make claims that aren’t backed by science and may not accurately reflect a product’s ingredients. To purchase supplements from reputable sources, look for verification from respected third-party testing agencies, such as ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, UL, or U.S. Pharmacopeia.

Can Vitamin D Supplements Delay the Onset of Type 1 Diabetes?

Some studies suggest that higher vitamin D levels early in life might help prevent type 1 diabetes. For example, an analysis of several studies found a strong link between low vitamin D levels and type 1 diabetes, suggesting that supplements might help lower the risk.

While these findings are hopeful, we need more research to set clear guidelines for vitamin D supplements in preventing type 1 diabetes. Larger, more controlled studies are needed to confirm these benefits and determine the best approach to using vitamin D supplements.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myT1Dteam, the social network for people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones, more than 3,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with type 1 diabetes.

Have you tried vitamin D supplements? Have you noticed any difference in your health? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.