Certain trace minerals appear to be missing from diabetics, including chromium, zinc, magnesium and manganese. Research that links these missing trace minerals to the onset of diabetes is by no means definitive. Whether or not a lack of these minerals causes diabetes, or whether these deficiencies arise as a result of diabetes, remains yet to be determined. Speak to your doctor or health care provider about trace mineral supplementation if you have diabetes or if you are risk of developing the condition.
Chromium
Chromium is a trace mineral that boosts the activity of glucose and is necessary for continuing regular glucose metabolism, according to Belinda S. O'Connell, M.S., R.D., L.D., of the International Diabetes Center. The mineral chromium appears to be missing in some diabetics and not in others. According to a report by Pennington Biomedical Research Center researchers published in "Current Diabetes Reports," chromium deficiency may be more prevalent in insulin resistant Type 2 diabetics with higher fasting glucose levels.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a trace mineral necessary for the regulation of blood sugar and the production of adenosine triphosphate or ATP, the primary form of energy used by cells. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium may often be missing from diabetics, as diabetics tend to lose magnesium through their urine to a greater extent than nondiabetics. This is especially true when their blood sugar levels are elevated. Speak to your doctor or health care provider about magnesium supplementation if you are diabetic.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency has been associated with diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, and zinc appears to be missing from diabetics according to recent research. A 2006 study conducted by Iraqi researchers and published in the "Saudi Medical Journal," examined 133 Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics and found them to have significantly lower levels of zinc in their blood compared to the control subjects.
Manganese
Manganese is a trace element involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Deficiencies in manganese contribute to impaired glucose tolerance and improper metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. However, according to Michael Aschner, Ph.D. of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center research that unequivocally proves that manganese is missing from diabetics remains elusive; some studies show lower blood levels of manganese in diabetics while others demonstrate no difference in blood levels of manganese between diabetics and nondiabetics.
References
- "Diabetes Care"; Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Magnesium Status and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus; R.M. Walter, Jr. et al.; November 1991
- "Diabetes Spectrum"; Select Vitamins and Minerals in the Management of Diabetes; Belinda S. O'Connell, M.S., R.D., L.D.; August 2001
- "Current Diabetes Reports"; Current Concepts about Chromium Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance; Z.Q. Wang et al.; April 2010
- National Institutes of Health; Office of Dietary Supplements; Magnesium; July 2009
- "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 et al.; March 2006
- National Institutes of Health; Office of Dietary Supplements; Zinc; June 2011
