Who Knew Sunlight Could Be Life Saving?

We know that lack of sunlight can cause depression called SAD (Seasonal Effect Disorder) but I didn't know that not having enough Vitamin D in our body could shorten the diabetic Lifespan.  What gives?

There's been much evidence that lack of sunshine is somehow linked to the increase in Type 1 diabetes, especially populations residing in the northern hemisphere. 

A study by Mohr and colleagues who looked at 51 regions world wide,and examined the link between Sun (Ultraviolet B) exposure and the incidence of Type 1 diabetes. This is what they concluded:

An association was found between low UVB irradiance and high incidence rates of type 1 childhood diabetes after controlling for per capita health expenditure. Incidence rates of type 1 diabetes approached zero in regions worldwide with high UVB irradiance, adding new support to the concept of a role of vitamin D in reducing the risk of the disease.

If you prefer a visual aid to illustrate the above:

A recent article written by Joergenson and company published in Diabetes Care, May 2011 issue studied the possible link between low levels of Vitamin D with Micovascular complications and Mortality rates in Type 1 diabetes. They concluded:

In patients with type 1 diabetes, severe vitamin D deficiency independently predicts all-cause mortality but not development of microvascular complications in the eye and kidney. Whether vitamin D substitution in type 1 diabetic patients can improve the prognosis remains to be investigated.

So do we supplement or not?  This study by Lee and colleugues not only explains the multiple benifits in having adaquate levels of  Vitamin D in the body but adds this regarding supplementation:

A study of 340 children ages 10 to 17 years found that increasing the intake of oral vitamin D 10-fold, from the currently recommended dose of 200 to 2,000 IU daily, was required to reach a 25(OH)D level of 30 ng/ml (the lower end of the optimal range)  The investigators concluded that doses equivalent to 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily were not only safe for adolescents, but also necessary for achieving the desirable vitamin D levels.

Time to stock up on Vit D and move somewhere south of my current parallel.  Any ideas?

Trev


Sources:

S. B. Mohr & C. F. Garland & E. D. Gorham & F. C. Garland
The association between ultraviolet B irradiance, vitamin D status and incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in 51 regions worldwide.

Christel, Joergenson, MD, Hovind, Peter, DMSC, Schmedes, Anne, PHD, Parving, Hans-Henrik, DMSC, Rossing, Peter, DMSC. Vitamin D Levels, Microvascular Complications, and Mportality in Type 1 Diabetes Diabetes Care 34:1081–1085, 201.

Lee et al, Vitamin D Deficiency; An Important, Common, and Easily Treatable Cardiovascular Risk Factor? Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2008.

Post Lab Visit - What Ifs...

Well, I decided since I was booked to see my Physician on Monday it was time to get my blood work done.

It has been harder and harder to get this done.  Not the act of getting the blood drawn, but finding the time to get to the lab, wait, fast, etc.  I always find excuses not to get it done.

I did manage to make it to the lab, pee in a cup, get the three vials of red stuff sucked out of me, and back to work with my morning coffee in tote. 

Diabetes, and its time suckers I tell ya. Normally a trip to the lab takes 1-2 hours out of my day. Today was a good day, in and out in an hour. I am glad to get it done, but a little worried about the result. I haven't been a well behaved PWD over the winter. Oh well, we shall see in a couple of days.

It is the what ifs that haunt me while I wait for the results.

Like What if....

-I'm spilling protein in my urine, called Microalbuminuria.....
-my Lousy Cholesterol(LDL) is increased.....
-my HgA1C completely blows...
-my kidney function (tests) worsens

 I pretty much worry about every single lab result and what it means and how it could potentially effect my lifespan.

When you've had the big D for a long time, these things start to seep into the thoughts, and consciousness, as you contemplate mortality with diabetes.

One things for sure is the DOC has numerous stories and people who have been dealing with D for decades and are living proof that it is possible to live a long, complication free life.

 I know the research(DCCT Trial Info) states it is possible to reduce complications, but I want to avoid complications not just reduce.

Well until Monday the fingers are crossed. 

Have a great week-end!

On a funny,  not so serious note, check out my new VLOG below of my toddler providing music on my daily commute. Note this is on the way there and the way back.

A Diabetes Mind-Game

Life.

I swear it speeds up with each passing moment, days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before we know it a decade has passed.  Your probably thinking, does this have anything remotely to do with diabetes?

Well for me it really does.  Life is crazy for most of us, in this modern day we live by the clock, work, family, home, and the list goes on. 

One thing for sure, diabetes is an additional thing that must take importance in our lives and thus also eats up time. Pharmacies, testing, doctors appointments etc...

There is also one more thing; WORRY.

We constantly hear things, be it in  the media or from others in general.  "My aunt lost a limb from diabetes" or "Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness" You get my point, its mostly negative, sensationalized crap.

As a long time diabetic I inevitably find myself  in silence thinking, how long will I live, will I go blind, or be on dialysis for kidney failure. 

I have actually looked up mortality rates for those with diabetes.  Crazy! But true.

Then I decided to look at some facts. Like, with tight control you can prevent most of the complications associated with Diabetes.  Really, I thought, many years ago now. 

Now I realize that for every sad story of someone with diabetes there are many positive stories.  Like, folks with diabetes who have lived well into their 80`s.  Athletes with diabetes, and many others.

I have to be honest though. For me it's a daily struggle. Since it's the kinda thing you can`t really place in the back of your mind.

For me "The Worry" is a constant mind game.  Many moments spent telling myself "good control equals a long complication free life." But one can`t help to worry, when the mood is low, or when you get a horrific reading on your meter and a terrible A1C, you can`t help the dance that ensues in your mind thinking; will I make it or will this bloody diabetes finally catch up with me.

Most days I feel I can control it, beat it, and  I'm up for the challenge.  But there are those days, you know the ones, you just can`t seem to look at the bright side.

Then I say to myself, "let the mind-game begin" and most often I go to bed at night with renewed faith that tomorrow I will get up to face the challenge that diabetes brings.

For those who live with diabetes you are not alone and know one thing for sure; it is absolutely possible to live a long and healthy life with diabetes. 

Trev