An Interesting Way the Sun Could Help Fight Diabetes

An Interesting Way the Sun Could Help Fight Diabetes

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Diabetes has been reaching rates of epic proportions here in the United States. As such, doctors and scientists alike are reaching desperation in searching for something to lower the occurrence of this disease.

Previous studies have shown a possible connection between low vitamin D levels and a higher risk of diabetes. Because of this, researchers have been wanting to learn more about vitamin D’s effect on the disease.

In their studies, researchers found a compound known as iBRD9. This compound increases the activity of vitamin D receptors in the body when bound to vitamin D molecules.

Through their studies on mice, the researchers were able to bring the mice’s glucose levels down and into a healthy range.

This is encouraging news for both doctors and patients suffering from diabetes. According to Medical News Today:

“This study started out by looking at the role of vitamin D in beta cells,” says first study author Zong Wei. “Epidemiological studies in patients,” he reports, “have suggested a correlation between high vitamin D concentrations in the blood and a lower risk of diabetes, but the underlying mechanism was not well understood.”

He continues, “It’s been hard to protect beta cells with the vitamin alone. We now have some ideas about how we might be able to take advantage of this connection.”

The researchers made a discovery of how vitamin D may be able to protect beta cells. This can be done through transcription – the way genes decode to produce proteins.

According to the research, the introduction of iBRD9 made genes that have a protective effect to transcribe at higher rates. This protects the beta cells even further.

According to Medical News Today:

“Activating the vitamin D receptor,” notes co-corresponding study author Michael Downes, “can trigger the anti-inflammatory function of genes to help cells survive under stressed conditions.”

By using a screening system that we developed in the lab, we’ve been able to identify an important piece of that puzzle that allows for super-activation of the vitamin D pathway.”

– Michael Downes