Diabetes risk may be reduced with vitamin supplement for some groups

Key Points:

• Tufts University research suggests high-dose vitamin D supplements may reduce diabetes risk by 19% in adults with prediabetes who have certain genetic variants (AC or CC) of the vitamin D receptor gene, compared to a placebo group.
• The study involved over 2,000 U.S. adults with prediabetes taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily and found no benefit for individuals with the AA variant of the vitamin D receptor gene.
• Researchers highlight this as an example of precision nutrition, where genetic testing could tailor vitamin D supplementation to reduce diabetes risk, but caution that findings need replication and are not yet generalizable.
• Current vitamin D recommendations remain at 600-800 IU daily, and high doses like 4,000 IU may pose risks, especially for older adults, who should consult a doctor before supplementation.
• The study was a secondary analysis limited to people with prediabetes, and experts advise against using high-dose vitamin D as a diabetes prevention strategy until further research confirms these results.