The Role of Vitamin D and Mediterranean Diet in Insulin Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study

نویسندگان

1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahcesehir Cyprus University, Nicosia, Cyprus

2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, Morphou, Cyprus

doi
10.22034/ircmj.2025.510225.1951
چکیده

Background and Objectives: Insulin resistance is a major metabolic disorder linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D may influence glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, while adherence to the Mediterranean diet could support metabolic health. This study examines the association between vitamin D levels, insulin resistance, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in individuals residing in Northern Cyprus.    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 117 participants attending the Central State Hospital in Northern Cyprus. Data collection included demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters such as vitamin D levels, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and dietary habits assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Scale (KIDMED). Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-tests, Chi-Square tests, and correlation analyses via IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0, with significance set at P < 0.05.    Results: A significant association was observed between vitamin D supplementation and insulin resistance (P < 0.001). Among insulin-resistant individuals, 80% reported using vitamin D supplements, whereas 73.7% of non-insulin-resistant individuals did not use supplements. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet was high (77.8% of participants demonstrated optimal adherence), no statistically significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and dietary adherence.    Conclusion: The findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D supplementation and insulin resistance, warranting further investigation into causality and underlying mechanisms. While adherence to the Mediterranean diet was generally high among participants, its direct effect on vitamin D levels remains inconclusive. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and intervention strategies to optimize metabolic health outcomes.