Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Glucose Tolerance in Subjects at Risk for Diabetes With Low Vitamin D.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an increasingly common and serious condition. Studies show that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased diabetes risk and that vitamin D may protect against diabetes by reducing chronic inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. However, no studies have been able to show that vitamin D actually reduces post-prandial blood glucose levels, the most clinically relevant marker of diabetes. Previously the investigators have shown that cheddar cheese and low-fat cheese can be fortified with high levels of vitamin D and that this cheese is at least as a effective as vitamin D supplements in raising blood vitamin D levels. The main purpose of this study is to see whether vitamin D enriched cheese can improve oral glucose tolerance (reduce blood glucose 2 hours after consuming a drink containing 75g sugar) in people who have low vitamin D levels and are at risk for developing T2D. Other aims are to determine the effect of vitamin D may on insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, markers of inflammation, blood cholesterol levels, and safety markers such as urinary calcium excretion.