Numerous theories exist to explain why zinc levels in diabetics are often low, but definitive research remains inconclusive. Emily Ho of the Linus Pauling Institute suggests that diabetics might lose more zinc through their urine than nondiabetics. Dr. Burton Berkson, co-author of "Syndrome X," suggests that processed foods cause low zinc levels generally, and are one of the main risk factors for diabetes. If you are a diabetic, speak to your doctor or health care practitioner about zinc supplementation.
Zinc Function
Zinc and glucose metabolism are closely aligned, according to Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, associate professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Zinc plays an integral role in insulin production in the pancreas, as well as glucose utilization and insulin secretion. Diabetics exhibit low levels of zinc absorption in their intestines, as well as low zinc levels in their blood.
Research
A 2006 study conducted by Iraqi researchers and published in the "Saudi Medical Journal" examined low zinc levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics compared with healthy control subjects. Low zinc levels correlated higher with diabetics who lived in urban areas, as well as diabetics who ingested more plant protein than animal protein -- zinc tends to be less well-absorbed from plant sources as opposed to meat.
Glycemic Control
When zinc levels in diabetics are lower than normal, zinc supplementation might help diabetics augment glycemic control. A 2008 study conducted by Korean researchers and published in the journal "Nutrition Research and Practice" studied glycemic control in 44 type 2 diabetics who were given 50 mg of zinc for a month. At the end of the study, the subjects saw a significant decrease in their fasting blood glucose levels. These results suggest that zinc supplementation might improve glycemic control in diabetes patients.
Warning
Too much zinc can cause other health problems, including coughing, fever, stomach pain, fatigue, iron deficiency, prostate cancer and in extreme cases, death. If you are a diabetic, make sure you seek medical clearance from your doctor or health care practitioner before you begin to supplement zinc.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; "Zinc"; Emily Ho; February 2008
- "Syndrome X: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Insulin Resistance"; Dr. Burton Berkson et al; 2000
- "Native American Healing"; "Zinc and Diabetes"; Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona
- "Saudi Medical Journal"; "Serum Zinc Levels in Diabetic Patients and Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Glycemic Control of Type 2 Diabetics"; R.A. Al-Maroof; March 2006
- Nutrition Research and Practice; "Glycemic Control of Type 2 Diabetic Patients after Short-Term Zinc Supplementation"; H.M. Oh et al; Winter 2008
- U.S. National Library of Medicine Medline Plus; "Zinc"; February 2011
