Diabetes Mellitus

This widespread metabolic disease has been associated with several nutrient deficiencies, some of which have been linked to progression of clinical disorders that can occur secondary to chronic diabetes. Magnesium deficiency, in particular, has been associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as with gestational diabetes. Supplementation of type 2 diabetics with magnesium was found to improve both insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Experimental studies in animals and cross-sectional studies in humans have suggested that low serum magnesium levels might actually contribute to the development of diabetes. A recent prospective study revealed a graded inverse relationship between serum magnesium levels and the development of diabetes. Magnesium deficiency has also been linked to progression of clinical disorders related to chronic diabetes.

Another nutrient commonly linked to diabetes – type 2 Diabetes in particular - is Chromium. Due to processing methods that remove most of the naturally occurring chromium from commonly consumed foods, dietary deficiency of chromium is believed to be widespread in the United States. Chromium deficiency may increase the likelihood of insulin resistance, a condition in which the cells of the body do not respond to the presence of insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to elevated blood levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and elevated blood levels of glucose, which can ultimately cause diabetes.

Deficiencies of several vitamins have also been identified in diabetic individuals. Vitamin B6 levels were found to be lower in diabetic animals than in normal controls, and sub-clinical vitamin B1 deficiency was prevalent in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins have also been associated with diabetes. Several studies have found that diabetic patients had at least a 30% lower level of plasma ascorbic acid than non-diabetic subjects, and a strong independent association was found between low plasma vitamin E levels and an increased risk of developing diabetes. Subjects with clinical nephropathy had lower mean plasma ascorbic acid levels and higher mean renal clearance of ascorbic acid than patients having only microalbuminuria. Thus, SpectraCell's antioxidant panel and functional determinations of B vitamins and minerals can help to detect diabetes-related nutrient deficiencies before they contribute to the progression of the disease or to the development and progression of its complications.

REFERENCES

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7. Thiamin status of gravidas treated for gestational diabetes mellitus compared to their neonates at parturition. Baker H et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2000;70:317-320.
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9. Increased risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus at low plasma vitamin E concentrations: a four year follow up study in men. Salonen JT et al. Brit Med J. 1995;311:1124-1127.
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