A November 2012 study found that high levels of vitamin D could prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) in pregnant mothers, but not their babies. The study, published in the journal Neurology, analyzed data of 291,599 blood samples from 164,000 people in Sweden. Researchers found that women with high levels of vitamin D in their blood had reduced their risk for MS by 61 percent, compared to those who had low levels of vitamin D in their blood. However, there was no link found between the mother’s vitamin D level and her child developing MS.

            [SLIDESHOW: Vitamin D: What does it do and how to get it]

Can it prevent heart disease in diabetics?

Another recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that diabetics with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop clogged arteries, which can lead to heart disease. For the study, researchers looked at vitamin D levels of 43 patients with type 2 diabetes. They compared these results to vitamin D levels of 25 non-diabetics of the same sex, body type and age. They found that in diabetics with low levels of vitamin D, or less than 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood, the macrophages were more prone to stick to the blood vessel walls. Eventually, this leads to cholesterol build-up, hardening of the arteries and obstructed blood movement.

Researchers say they took every factor into account, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes control, body weight and race, and only vitamin D levels correlated to whether the macrophages stuck to the blood vessel wall.  The researchers are conducting further research to see if giving vitamin D to diabetics can reduce the chance of getting clogged arteries.

Sources:

n.p. (2011, June 24). “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D”. Office of Dietary Supplements – National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

n.p. (2012, December 20). "Race May Play Important Role In The Complex Relationship Between Daytime Sleepiness And Vitamin D Levels." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/254123.php

n.p. (2012, December 20). "High Vitamin D Doses Reduce Respiratory Tract Infection Risk." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254300.php

n.p. (2013, January 9). "Vitamin D No Help For Arthritis In The Knee." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254754.php

n.p. (2012, November 21). "Elevated Levels Of Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Prevent Multiple Sclerosis In Mothers." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/253047.php

n.p. (2012, November 14). "Vitamin D Deficiency For Diabetics Can Lead To Clogged Arteries." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252821.php