A new study from the University of Toronto for the first time, looked at the relationship between gum disease which is also known as periodontitis, vitamin D and type 2 DM and they concluded that the combination of inadequate vitamin D and periodontitis were significantly associated with diabetes.
The researchers used data from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey also known as NHANES, which is a survey that’s been conducted in the US since the early 1960s.
They looked at over 1600 adults with type 2 DM and almost 1400 people without it. They all had dental exams and had lab work done for vitamin D, fasting glucose and insulin.
The data showed that individually, periodontitis and vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. But they found that when these factors were combined, the risk was even greater.
Since about half of adults in the US have gum disease and over 40% are deficient in vitamin D, this study may be very important.
The next step is to see if increasing vitamin D levels in adults with type 2 DM and periodontitis can help manage their diabetes and/or their gum disease.
This is Joan Trimble wishing you wellness.