Vitamin D, a treasure after menopause

A cross-sectional study with women has found that circulating levels of one form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and also known as 25 (OH) D, are related to better glucose metabolism in those with osteoporosis after menopause.

The research has been carried out at the Center for Online Biomedical Research (Ciber) on Frailty and Healthy Aging (Ciberfes), led by Professor Manuel Muñoz Torres, from the Department of Medicine of the University of Granada, and belonging to the Institute of Biosanitary Research.

For the research, a sample of 40 women with osteoporosis was used, in which serum levels of 25 (OH) D and the parameters of glucose homeostasis, glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance and sensitivity indices were determined. , in addition to evaluating anthropometric, biochemical, clinical parameters and bone markers.

According to the UGR, there is currently no solid evidence on what levels of 25 (OH) D would be optimal to achieve benefits on glucose metabolism as well as on other health objectives such as prevention of cardiovascular disease.

One of the objectives of the research has been to establish the optimal concentration of 25 (OH) D capable of improving glucose homeostasis.

Based on the results of the study, the researchers suggest that optimizing the levels of 25 (OH) D in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and who do not have established alterations in glucose metabolism could represent a preventive strategy against the development of comorbidities associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

This is the case of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular complications, in addition to exerting its known beneficial effect on bone health.