Zinc supplements help diabetics regulate blood sugar via various biomarkers
Type 2 diabetes, a lifestyle disease that is spreading like wildfire, comes with a huge socio-economic price tag. At the same time, there has been a growing need for more effective and natural treatments for disrupted blood sugar levels, which cause a range of other metabolic disturbances. In addition to weight loss and dietary changes, it now appears that zinc supplementation can significantly improve various biomarkers related to disrupted blood sugar. This is outlined in a study published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome.
Type 2 diabetes develops over several years, primarily due to excessive carbohydrate consumption, particularly refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white sugar, French fries, other junk foods, and alcohol, all of which have the greatest impact on blood sugar. The precursor to type-2 diabetes is called metabolic syndrome. This condition is characterized by insulin resistance, where the cells' ability to absorb blood sugar (glucose) is reduced. As a result, one doesn't feel truly full, and there's a tendency to consume even more of the fast carbohydrates. Insulin resistance also leads to elevated insulin levels, causing excess non-metabolized calories to be stored as fat, especially unhealthy belly fat. The liver virtually becomes a fat factory and produces far too many triglycerides and too much LDL cholesterol. Metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes are also characterized by high blood pressure and an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
As outlined, it is primarily a disrupted sugar metabolism that leads to these metabolic disturbances. Type-2 diabetes is primarily managed by ensuring an appropriate balance of the different macronutrients. It can be particularly beneficial to reduce carbohydrate intake and opt for fiber-rich varieties. Additionally, more protein and healthy fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prolong satiety. This also makes it easier to lose weight and eliminate harmful belly fat.
The importance of zinc for health and blood sugar
There has been increased focus on various micronutrients, for example zinc that plays a vital role in several hundred physiological processes, including the immune system, gene activation, and cellular metabolism. Zinc is involved in the pancreas' production of insulin, which takes place in the beta cells. Zinc is also important for the pancreas and its storage of insulin and its release of the hormone into the bloodstream. Furthermore, zinc helps regulate glucose transport proteins, which is essential for the absorption and utilization of blood sugar by cells and tissues.
Zinc deficiency, which is very common, appears to be involved in the development of insulin resistance and impaired blood sugar absorption.
Zinc improves several biomarkers related to blood sugar
In the new umbrella meta-analysis, the researchers aimed to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on the following biomarkers related to blood sugar:
Serum FBS – Fasting blood sugar
Normal values range between 4-7 mmol/L. After a meal, blood sugar should preferably be below 10 mmol/L.
Insulin – A hormone that allows blood sugar to enter cells. Normal values range from 5-40 µU/ml (microunits/ml)
HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Estimated Insulin Resistance)
Used to assess insulin resistance. Normal values range between 0.5 - 1.4.
HbA1c – Long-term blood sugar
Reflects the average plasma glucose over the last 2-3 months. HbA1c is a measure of the number of glycosylated hemoglobin molecules relative to the total number of hemoglobin molecules. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells, and glucose binds to a small portion of hemoglobin, forming HbA1c. Normal values range from 31 - 44 mmol/L.
Trawling through databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, the researchers reviewed several relevant studies and meta-analyses that had been published up until March of 2024. The meta-analysis revealed that zinc supplementation was able to improve fasting blood sugar (FBS), long-term blood sugar (HbA1c), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Zinc's significant effect was confirmed in a so-called Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) analysis.
Zinc is also part of a crucial antioxidant called SOD (superoxide dismutase), which counteracts oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. These conditions are involved in cell damage, insulin resistance, diabetes, and many other chronic diseases. Additionally, it can be mentioned that zinc promotes the utilization of vitamin D, which has other functions related to blood sugar and satiety regulation.
Sources of zinc and zinc supplements for regulating blood sugar
Good sources of zinc include shellfish, meat, organ meats, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, nuts, and beans. Zinc from animal sources is easier to absorb.
Health authorities generally recommend obtaining sufficient micronutrients like zinc through a healthy diet. However, according to the new study, diabetics often suffer from zinc deficiency. Therefore, supplementation with organic zinc, which the body absorbs more easily, can be prudent.
The recommended daily intake or reference intake (RI) for adults is set at 10 mg. EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has set the daily safe upper intake level at 40 mg.
According to the new umbrella meta-analysis, some studies administered very high doses (over 200 mg) for three months. Nevertheless, it appears that zinc supplementation at 40 mg daily has the most beneficial effect on various blood sugar biomarkers.
References:
Maziar Daneshvar et al. Effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic biomarkers: an umbrella of interventional meta-analysis. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome. 2024
Ashton Amos, Mohammed S. Razzaque. Zinc and its role in vitamin D function. Current Research in Physiology. 2022
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