A recent study suggests that people with diabetes who also have low vitamin D levels face a higher risk of nerve damage, known as neuropathy. This condition, which can worsen over time, impacts nearly half of diabetics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The findings are important because the UAE has one of the highest diabetes rates globally, with 16.3% of the population affected—almost double the worldwide rate of 9.3%. Experts predict that this rate could increase to 21.4% by 2030, making it a growing public health challenge.
Dr. Bashair M. Mussa, an Associate Professor at the University of Sharjah’s College of Medicine, led the study. She and her research team reviewed the medical records of 600 Emirati patients at University Hospital Sharjah to examine links between vitamin D levels and neuropathy in diabetics.
Their analysis found that half of the diabetic patients suffered from neuropathy, a condition that causes pain and muscle weakness, which worsens over time.
The results, published in the journal Cells, shed light on a surprising factor influencing nerve damage in diabetes: vitamin D deficiency.
While many studies have looked at neuropathy in diabetics, Dr. Mussa’s research stands out by highlighting vitamin D deficiency as a possible contributor to nerve damage.
This connection is surprising given the UAE’s sunny climate, where it’s easy to assume that people naturally get enough vitamin D from sunlight.
However, the intense heat and year-round sun in the UAE actually keep many people indoors, reducing their exposure to natural sources of vitamin D.
Beyond personal discomfort, diabetic neuropathy is linked with high rates of illness, death, and financial costs, making this finding significant. Low vitamin D may not only impact nerve health but may also add to the overall health burden for diabetics in the UAE.
Interestingly, previous studies have shown that short-term vitamin D supplements can help relieve some symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Dr. Mussa suggests that larger, more comprehensive studies across multiple medical centers in the UAE are needed to better understand how vitamin D deficiency and other factors contribute to diabetic neuropathy.
Given the high rate of diabetes and its complications in the UAE, this study underscores the potential of vitamin D supplements as a preventive or therapeutic measure for diabetics prone to nerve damage.
Future research may reveal whether vitamin D supplements could become a common recommendation to help manage or even prevent neuropathy in patients with diabetes.
This approach could be particularly beneficial in regions with high diabetes rates and low sunlight exposure.
For anyone interested in diabetes research, studies have also explored other ways to prevent and manage diabetes.
For instance, certain berries are being studied for their potential to protect against diabetes, obesity, and cancer, while new drug developments aim to treat diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Additionally, recent studies suggest that zinc may play a key role in improving diabetes treatments, and researchers continue to examine the impact of various nutrients on blood sugar levels.
The study provides new insights into the connection between vitamin D and nerve health in diabetics, highlighting a path for future research.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
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