Vitamin D and Diabetes in Elderly People

Hypovitaminosis D and diabetes are common conditions in the elderly. An increasing body of literature is suggesting that hypovitaminosis D could be a risk factor for diabetes, but the evidence in older people is limited. In this chapter, we summarize the current epidemiological research on hypovitaminosis D and diabetes in the elderly, showing that an association between them is unlikely in this age group. Similar results emerged from clinical trials on vitamin D supplementation used to improve blood glucose parameters. Several factors, including obesity, inflammation, and oxidative stress, could be important in explaining this lack of association, and other factors (such as hyperparathyroidism and the depletion of susceptible effects for hypovitaminosis D) probably help to better explain this picture. Although no association has yet emerged, further studies are warranted because of the huge increase in both hypovitaminosis D and diabetes in the elderly.