KatCarney

Low Vitamin D Status Linked to Insulin Resistance and Obesity in Women
with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Reference: "Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated
with insulin resistance and obesity in women with polycystic ovary
syndrome,"

Hahn S, Haselhorst U, et al, Experimental and Clinical
Endocrinology and Diabetes, 2006; 114(10): 577-583. (Address:
Endokrinologikum Ruhr, Center for Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases,
Bochum, Germany).

Summary: In a study involving 120 untreated women with polycystic
ovarian syndrome (median age: 28 years), low levels of vitamin D were
found to be associated with insulin resistance and obesity.

In all the subjects, concentrations of 25-OH-VD were inversely associated with body mass index, body fat, HOMA-IR, hyperinsulinemia, and levels of leptin, while being positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels.

When the women were subdivided into the categories, "lean," "overweight," and "obese," higher levels of 25-OH-VD were found among the lean subjects.

Women whose levels of 25-OH-VD were so low that they were considered to
have "hypovitaminosis D" (less than 9 ng/ml) were found to have higher
BMI, higher indices of insulin resistance, and higher leptin levels,
compared to women with normal serum levels of vitamin D.

Additional analysis found 25-OH-VD levels to be significantly correlated with sex hormone-binding globulin and the free androgen index. These results
suggest that in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) low serum
levels of vitamin D may be linked to insulin resistance and obesity.

Studies examining the effects of supplementation with vitamin D on
markers of insulin resistance and obesity in women with PCOS are needed.
--
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pip...ry/008496.html

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