Calcium, D, & diabetes.Calcium and vitamin D supplements may lower the risk of diabetes, says a study that tracked 80,000 women for 20 years. Women who consumed the most calcium (more than 500 mg a day) from supplements had a 20 percent lower risk of diabetes than those who consumed the least (250 mg a day or less). Women who consumed the most vitamin D from supplements (more than 400 IU IU - Idiot User IU - Image Understanding IU - Imaging Unit IU - Immunizing Unit IU - In Utero IU - Inch Up (elevators) IU - Independant Union IU - Indiana University IU - Individualais Uznemums (Latvian: Personal Company - Analog Company) IU - Industrial User IU - Integer Unit (CPU) IU - Intel University IU - Intelligent Unit IU - Interaction Unit IU - Interface Unit IU - Intermediate Unit IU - International Unit a day) had a 13 percent lower risk of diabetes than those who consumed the least (less than 100 IU a day). It's not clear why a lower risk of diabetes was linked only to calcium and vitamin D from supplements, not food. People who take those supplements may do other things--like exercise or stay trim--that lower their risk, but the researchers tried to eliminate those "confounders." What to do: Until the link with diabetes is clearer, it's worth taking enough calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones. If you're 50 or younger, shoot for 1,000 mg a day of calcium and 400 IU a day of vitamin D (from food and supplements). If you're over 50, increase the calcium to 1,200 mg. If you're over 70, boost the vitamin D to 600 IU. Diabetes Care 29: 650, 2006. |
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