Are you one of the more than 79 million Americans who is estimated to have prediabetes? Then you may be interested in participating in a large study that is currently enrolling volunteers to determine whether vitamin D supplementation can prevent Type 2 diabetes.
The Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) study is the first large-scale trial that will examine whether daily supplementation with 4,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes in people age 30 or older who have prediabetes (a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes). The typical adult intake of vitamin D is 400 to 600 IUs per day.
The researchers aim to enroll roughly 2,500 people, half of whom will receive vitamin D and half of whom will receive placebo (an inactive treatment). Participants will have check-ups related to the study twice a year and will receive regular health care through their usual providers.
The study will be double-blind, meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is receiving the vitamin D and who is receiving the placebo. The research will continue until enough people have developed Type 2 diabetes that a scientifically valid comparison between the two groups can be made — likely about four years.
“Vitamin D use has risen sharply in the US in the last 15 years, since it has been suggested as a remedy for a variety of conditions, including prevention of Type 2 diabetes. But we need rigorous testing to determine if vitamin D will help prevent diabetes. That’s what D2d will do,” said Myrlene Staten, MD, D2d project officer.
Clinical study sites are located at approximately 20 locations across the United States. To learn more about the research, including how to enroll, visit the official D2d Web site.
This blog entry was written by Web Editor Diane Fennell.
