Much has been said about the benefits of essential nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. We've also heard about how these two work together. Milk, of course, is a primary source of both nutrients. In fact, vitamin D – one of the most valued fat-soluble vitamins in existence – actually regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream. This helps maintain the health of the kidneys and bones primarily, but can also prevent the formation of all kinds of tumors. Once again, we've all heard this news before, but here's something you don't hear about vitamin D and calcium every day: Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health now say that consuming both may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the details are a bit surprising.
According to a Dale Kiefer's blurb in the August 2009 issue of Life Extension, "Scientists compared data obtained from men and women participating in two long-term studies of health and nutrition. Using plasma C-reactive protein as a marker for the oxidative stress associated with type 2 diabetes, investigators compared subjects' plasma vitamin D status with total intakes of calcium and vitamin D."
The research suggests that vitamin D and calcium can indeed ward off diabetes. Oddly, the results for male subjects differed from that of female subjects. It seems as if calcium intake generally lowered the levels of C-reactive protein, but only in women. Conversely, the men with the top plasma levels of vitamin D experienced up to 20% lower concentrations of the C-reactive protein. And, vitamin D left the women mostly unaffected. What could this mean, if anything? Does this, in any way, discredit the merits of the nutrients themselves?
According to Harvard School of Public Health researchers, "The results suggest that calcium intake or systemic vitamin D status, after adjustment for intake of dairy products, is associated with decreased insulin secretion."
In other words, add type 2 diabetes prevention to the list of job skills for both calcium and vitamin D. And the beauty part is that they can be found in so many foods and supplements on the market.
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