A new analysis looked at whether genes change how vitamin D affects the chance of moving from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. The study re-examined a large US clinical trial that gave a high daily vitamin D dose or a placebo to more than two thousand adults with prediabetes.
Researchers used DNA from about 2,100 participants to compare genetic subgroups. They found that some genetic types had a lower risk of developing diabetes when taking the high dose, while other types did not respond. Authors say people should not start high-dose vitamin D without medical advice, and more research is needed to know who may benefit.
Difficult words
- gene — part of a cell that carries biological informationgenes
- prediabetes — a condition with higher blood sugar before diabetes
- clinical trial — a controlled medical study with people
- placebo — a fake treatment with no active medicine
- dose — an amount of medicine or supplement
- genetic — relating to genes and inherited traits
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Discussion questions
- Would you ask a doctor before taking a high dose of vitamin D? Why or why not?
- Do you think genetic differences can change how a treatment works? Give one reason.
- If you or a family member had prediabetes, would you want more research or tests to know who benefits? Why?
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