Which role plays vitamin D in prevention of type 1 diabetes?

Anna Wilkes, Monika Hages, Reinhold Prinz-Langenohl, Bonn

Both genetic and environmental factors increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The combination of both factors determines the frequency of type 1 diabetes in a population.

This can be seen in the differences in prevalence data for populations with the same ethnological background and comparable vitamin D supply, as well as in the similar frequencies for people living in geographic areas with very different UV radiation and therefore with differences in the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D . Human and animal studies have shown that improvements in the vitamin D status in the population, particularly in infants, might reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in later life.

The actual vitamin D supply in Germany is often insufficient and even children are at risk of mild or moderate vitamin D deficiency, as a result of the low UV radiation in winter and inadequate intake of vitamin D with food. Furthermore, oral prophylaxis of rickets during the first 12 months of life is not always practiced consistently. However, it is still unknown how much vitamin D must be taken to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, vitamin D, autoimmune diseases, UV radiation, cytokines, prevention.