Obesity, diabetes and vitamin D

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are widespread globally with multiple factors playing a role in their development. Such as limited exposure to sunlight, poor nutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, and obesity, which affects approximately 39% of the world’s adult population. In addition to its canonical role in skeletal function, vitamin D modulates adipogenesis, insulin secretion, and action in diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency due to obesity is likely due to decreased bioavailability of vitamin D through synthesis in the skin and from dietary sources, which is associated with its deposition in body fat depots. While a direct effect on adipogenesis appears to be realized during critical periods of life (pre- and postnatal periods). Vitamin D directly regulates genes involved pathways of insulin secretion and action. The high worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency may be associated with the high incidence of type 2 diabetes, and normalizing vitamin D levels in patients may be an effective strategy to slow the progression of type 2 diabetes and its complications.