Is vitamin D necessary in the summer to help lower blood sugar?
Health magazine recently published an article: Should you take vitamin D supplements in the summer? Experts' opinions". Accordingly, although sunlight helps synthesize vitamin D, many people are still deficient. This affects bones, the immune system and the ability to lower blood sugar.
hedva Barenholtz Levy, a geriatric pharmacist, shared: Most people at risk of vitamin D deficiency still need vitamin D supplements all year round.
Factors that reduce vitamin D synthesis in the summer
Even in the summer, there are some factors that limit vitamin D synthesis through the skin:
Use sunscreen, wear tight clothes.
Over 65 years old.
Dark skin.
Working mainly indoors.
The doctor says that you need about 10-30 minutes of direct sunlight several times a week to get enough vitamin D - but this is not guaranteed for everyone, especially at risk, affecting the ability to naturally lower blood sugar.
Vitamin D - Factors that help lower blood sugar
Studies show that vitamin D deficiency can cause insulin resistance - making it difficult for blood glucose to lower blood sugar after eating. Vitamin D contributes to promoting insulin secretion and increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin effectively. This is very important in blood sugar management, especially in people with prediabetes and the elderly.
Recommended vitamin D dosage and supplement sources
According to the American Academy of Medicine, the daily requirement is:
600 IU (15 μg) for people aged 19-70.
800 IU (20 μg) for people over 70.
Food sources rich in vitamin D include fatty fish (almonds, sardines), shrimp paste, milk and fortified cereals. However, it is difficult to get enough of the necessary amount just by eating. Therefore, blood tests are needed to determine the level, then the doctor will recommend the appropriate supplementation dose, which can be changed seasonally to help lower blood sugar.
Warning about avoiding too much Vitamin D
Uncontrolled vitamin D supplementation can lead to vitamin D toxicity, with the following signs: Nausea, vomiting; Muscle weakness, fatigue; Increased calcium in the blood, kidney stones, arrhythmia; kidney damage, even death.
Therefore, even in the warm summer, vitamin D supplementation is still important to maintain overall health and support stable blood sugar, especially preventing the phenomenon of abnormal hypoglycemia. The correct method is to have blood tests, monitor vitamin D levels, and supplement appropriate doses according to the recommendation of experts and doctors.
