“Strong” Evidence that Zinc Benefits Diabetics
Many type 2 diabetics need help managing their diabetes. Zinc to the rescue!
The idea that zinc could help prevent and treat diabetes is not new. Several new studies are strengthening that idea.
A 2020 study found that diabetics have significantly lower levels of zinc. Remarkably, it found that, while 6.4% of the control group had a zinc deficiency, 67.9% of the diabetic group did (J Family Community Med. 2020 Jan-Apr;27(1):29–36).
A 2019 meta-analysis of 32 controlled studies found that taking a zinc supplement significantly reduced fasting glucose, glucose after eating, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, HbA1c and inflammation (Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Jul 1;110(1):76-90).
Now a new study of 22 placebo-controlled studies of zinc supplementation and type 2 diabetes and broadened and strengthened the evidence. It found that taking zinc significantly improved glucose after eating, fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. The latter finding is especially important, since HbA1c is the most important marker of long term blood sugar and diabetes control.
The study also found that zinc improves total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It also significantly improved systolic blood pressure, weight and c-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation.
This important new study “strongly suggest a potential beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on type 2 diabetic patients.”
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023 May 15;1-12
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For much more on preventing and treating diabetes, see our books The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia and, happily, Chocolate: Superfood of the Gods.
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