Tip: Vitamin D deficiency tied to diabetes

Not getting enough vitamin D may raise the risk of developing diabetes. Australian researchers checked the amount of the vitamin in the blood of 5,200 adults and found that those with low levels had a 57 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The U.S. government's recommended daily amount of vitamin D for people 50 and older is 400-600 international units a day, the equivalent of four to six 8-ounce glasses of milk.

Researchers told Reuters the cause and effect of their study is unclear. Because sunlight provides copious amounts of vitamin D, it may simply be a case that those with higher levels were more active and less likely to be overweight. The best way to avoid getting diabetes is eating a healthful diet and maintaining a healthy weight.

The study is published in the current issue of the medical journal Diabetes Care.