Vitamin deficiencies can lead to lot of health complications, but in a recent study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry it has been found that Vitamin A deficiency can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
This type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in the United States accounting almost 90% of the diabetes cases diagnosed. The researchers said that the Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance where insulin-producing beta cells are unable to function effectively.
The new study claims that Vitamin A boosts beta cell activity and that brings to the conclusion that Vitamin A can play significant role in the development of the Type 2 Diabetes.
The research also mentions that there are two types of Vitamin A. Preformed Vitamin A which is present in meat, fish and dairy products and beta-carotene which is generally found in fruits and vegetables. Both types of Vitamin A aids cell growth and improves immune system and vision. Researchers analyzed the beta cell development on two groups of mice. One group of mice was genetically modified to unable to store dietary Vitamin A while the other group was regular one. The researchers found that the group that was unable to store dietary Vitamin A experience beta cell death and therefore were unable to produce insulin.
