Zinc is a trace mineral that is essential for cellular metabolism, particularly involving growth, development, reproduction, immune stimulation and nerve function. Diabetes is a metabolic condition characterized by high blood sugar and risk of complications that include cardiovascular disease and loss of vision. Zinc plays a role in the prevention and risk of diabetes and complications from the progression of the disease. Consult your doctor about zinc tablets.
Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system destroys your ability to produce insulin, the hormone that transports sugar called glucose from your blood into your cells. Without exogenous insulin, a type 1 diabetic can become comatose and die. Although type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, it mostly develops in children and young adults. Increasing your intake of zinc by supplementation may reduce your risk of type 1 diabetes. Research by scientists at Linkoping University in Sweden and the University of Tampere in Finland and published in "Pediatric Diabetes" in May 2011 discovered that low zinc levels in drinking water is associated with the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in childhood.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes
Between 90 to 95 percent of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease associated with insulin resistance by cells and consequent buildup of blood glucose. About 80 percent of type 2 diabetics are overweight. Dietary intake of zinc may be associated with risk of type 2 diabetes. Research by scientists at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and published in "Diabetes Care" in April 2009 found in a 24-year prospective epidemiological study that higher dietary intake of zinc may be associated with a slightly lower risk of type 2 diabetes in women.
Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
Adult diabetics have a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Almost two thirds of diabetics die from heart disease or stroke. Increasing your dietary intake of zinc through supplement tablets can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease. Research by scientists at the University of Turku in Finland and published in "Diabetes Care" in March 2007 discovered a low blood serum zinc level is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetics.
Improved Blood Sugar and Cholesterol
People with diabetes must control blood sugar and cholesterol to lower their risk of cardiovascular complications. Supplementation with zinc tablets can improve control of blood sugar and reduce blood cholesterol. Research by scientists at Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lankam and published in "Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Targets and Therapy" in May 2011 found supplementation with zinc and a multivitamin mineral is beneficial in metabolic control of adult diabetics, including improved blood glucose control and lowered blood cholesterol compared with taking a multivitamin mineral without zinc.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Zinc; Emily Ho, P.D.; February 2008
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2010
- American Diabetes Association; Complications; 2010
- "Pediatric Diabetes"; Low Zinc in Drinking Water Is Associated with the Risk of Type 1 Diabetes in Children; Ulf Samuelsson, et al.; May 2011
- "Diabetes Care"; Prospective Study of Zinc Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women; Qi Sun, et al.; April 2009
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention; Heart Disease Facts; 2010
