Summary Different studies have shown that vitamin D has several beneficial properties and influences various mechanisms in the body. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and may, for instance, be associated with diseases related to glucose (sugar) metabolism, like diabetes. This review, conducted by a Polish research department, showed that vitamin D is involved in various…
Summary The use of metformin (a conventional anti-diabetes drug) is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Dutch researchers investigated the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients and its relationship to the duration and dose of metformin use. The study was performed with 550 type 2 diabetes patients using metformin. The study showed…
Summary This Korean study investigated vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes using the conventional anti-diabetes drug metformin. 1111 patients with type 2 diabetes, taking metformin for at least 6 months, were included. The study showed that an increased dose of metformin was significantly associated with decreased vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency…
Summary This study, executed by Chinese research departments, summarized the association between vitamin D and the risk of diabetic retinopathy (an eye disease caused by high glucose levels). 15 studies were included, involving 17,664 subjects. These studies showed that type 2 diabetes patients with vitamin D deficiency had a significantly increased risk of diabetic retinopathy.…
Summary Scientists from a medical university in South Korea investigated the association between vitamin D levels and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. A total of 257 patients with diabetic vascular complications were recruited. Patients were categorized into three groups according to their vitamin D status. In both men and women, patients with…
Summary This study, executed by the university of Shiraz, Iran, compared the concentration of essential trace elements, including zinc and chromium, in 20 type 2 diabetes patients versus 20 nondiabetic participants. The results showed that the levels of the measured trace elements were significantly lower in the blood of diabetes patients as compared with the…
Summary This study, conducted by Chinese researchers, investigated the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. In total, 1520 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited and divided into three groups: no diabetic retinopathy and two groups based on their stage of the disease. Patients with the most…
Summary This trial, executed by American researchers, aimed to assess associations between magnesium intake and prediabetes and/or diabetes-related symptoms (e.g., insulin resistance). The progression from these states to type 2 diabetes was also evaluated. 2582 participants, 26 to 81 years old at the start, were involved. This 7-year trial showed that participants with the highest…
Summary Widely used conventional diabetes drugs decrease vitamin B12 and folate levels and increase homocysteine, a substance involved in many metabolic processes. Together with high blood glucose levels, an abnormally high homocysteine level in the blood induces oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. This trial determined the effects of folate supplementation on homocysteine concentration and…
Summary Inflammation resulting from oxidative stress and an imbalance of the (innate) immune system has been associated with obesity and other complaints related to the development and progression of diabetes type 2 (e.g., insulin resistance). Reducing oxidative stress levels could therefore be an option to improve diabetes-related complaints. This review, executed by the Public Health…
Summary Vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplementation may prevent and reverse early-stage diabetic nephropathy (deterioration of kidney function) by correcting several diabetes-related mechanisms and helping counter the adverse effects of high glucose concentrations. This review by a British research institute discusses the role of vitamin B1 therapy in preventing and treating early-stage diabetic nephropathy. Evidence from studies…
Summary This study by an American Eye Institute determined whether a combination of vitamins B6, B9 (folate), and B12 is effective in reducing symptoms related to diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease caused by high blood glucose levels. 10 subjects with diabetic retinopathy were recruited for this six-month study. Vitamin tablets containing vitamins B6, B9, and…
Summary This study, conducted by the Loyola University Chicago, investigated the effect of vitamin D on improving mood (depression and anxiety) and mental and physical health in women with type 2 diabetes. 50 women with type 2 diabetes and significant depressive symptoms were enrolled in this study. For six months, the participants received a weekly…
Summary This Spanish study aimed to explore whether there is an association between vitamin D status and diabetic retinopathy (an eye disease caused by high glucose levels) in type 2 diabetes patients. Two groups of patients – with (139 patients) and without (144 patients) diabetic retinopathy – were selected. The study showed a clear association…
Summary Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that has been associated with diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease caused by high glucose (sugar) levels. This trial, executed by American and Indian researchers, aimed to evaluate the association of vitamin D levels with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy among Indians with type 2 diabetes. The…
Summary This review by Italian and British researchers aimed to investigate the effect of magnesium on glucose (sugar) and insulin parameters in people with diabetes or at high risk of this condition. 18 trials were analyzed, which showed that magnesium treatment reduced fasting glucose levels in diabetes patients. Furthermore, magnesium supplementation significantly improved glucose levels…
Summary Vitamin D deficiency is associated with diabetes and its complications. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin D as an indicator of severe diabetic retinopathy. To this end, study subjects without diabetic retinopathy, two groups with diabetic retinopathy, and healthy participants were examined. Various eye measurements were executed, and vitamin…
Summary This study, executed by researchers from Bahrain, evaluated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with the severity of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease caused by high glucose (sugar) levels. 300 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into three groups: no diabetic retinopathy, non-proliferative,…
Summary An Iranian research department evaluated the effects of vitamins C and E on stress, depression, and anxiety levels in 45 diabetic patients for 6 weeks. Patients were randomly divided into three groups that received vitamin E (400 IU = 268 mg), vitamin C (1000 mg), or a placebo. Several questionnaires were used before and…
Summary The objective of this trial was to determine whether oral magnesium supplementation improves the function of insulin-producing cells (beta cells in the pancreas) in non-diabetic individuals with magnesium deficiency. Non-diabetic participants with normal blood pressure and low magnesium levels received either magnesium (54 participants) or a placebo (52 participants) daily for 3 months. Beta…
Summary Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency is prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that correcting this deficiency may provide beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic effects. The objective of this study was to determine whether vitamin B1 supplementation is associated with an improvement of related parameters, like blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels in patients…
Summary This study, conducted by Indian research departments, aimed to investigate the differences in dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with and without food ulcers. Elderly type 2 diabetes patients with foot ulcers (79 patients) and type 2 diabetes patients without foot ulcers (59 patients) were studied.…
Summary This trial evaluated the effect of vitamin C and E supplementation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The study was performed with 170 patients divided into a supplementation group and a placebo group. Additionally, the supplementation group was divided into three subgroups, consuming either vitamin C, vitamin E, or a combination of vitamin C…
Summary This trial, executed by a research department in Mexico, aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin B1 (thiamine) administration on metabolic and inflammation parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who did not use conventional drugs. This trial was carried out in 24 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 12 subjects received vitamin…
Summary This Iranian study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on fasting oxidative stress levels, oxidative stress levels after consumption of food, and lipid parameters in type 2 diabetes patients. 30 patients were randomly divided into a vitamin C treatment group (1000 mg/day) and a placebo group. Oxidative stress levels and lipid…
Summary A hospital in Sri Lanka conducted a trial to evaluate the effects of a zinc supplement taken with or without other antioxidants on blood glucose levels and various lipid parameters in adult diabetics. 96 patients were randomly allocated to three groups: group A (29 patients) was supplemented with oral zinc (22 mg/day) and a…
Summary German researchers investigated the effect of oral magnesium supplementation on metabolic characteristics like insulin sensitivity (related to diabetes type 2) in non-diabetic patients with overweight. Subjects underwent a glucose test and were allocated to receive either a magnesium supplement (27 subjects) or a placebo (25 subjects) for 6 months. Several parameters were determined, like…
Summary Iranian research departments studied the effect of vitamin D3 on TNF-α, an inflammation parameter, in type 2 diabetic patients. 51 diabetic patients were involved in the study. 26 patients were orally supplemented with 400 IU/day (10 µg) vitamin D3 and 25 patients with a placebo for 14 weeks. Among others, long-term glucose levels (HbA1c),…
Summary Researchers from Iran conducted this study to determine the effects of folate supplementation on glucose (sugar) regulation in overweight and obese men with type 2 diabetes who also used conventional drugs. 48 participants were divided into two groups receiving either folic acid (5 mg/day) or a placebo for 8 weeks. Supplementation with folic acid…
Summary This study, conducted by scientists from a research institute in Auckland, New Zealand, aimed to investigate the effect of improved vitamin D levels on characteristics of diabetes, like insulin resistance. The patients were administered 100 µg (4000 IU) of vitamin D3 (42 women) or a placebo (39 women) daily for 6 months. Supplementation with…
Summary This Indian study aimed to examine the effect of oral vitamin C, in combination with an often used conventional drug, on fasting and postmeal blood glucose (sugar) levels as well as long-term blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and vitamin C levels in type 2 diabetes. 70 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this 12-week…
Summary This study, executed by medical schools in Boston, USA, explored whether magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of diabetes type 2, especially in the context of a diet low in cereal fiber and high in low-quality carbohydrates, which provide quick energy but are mainly devoid of nutrients. Dietary magnesium intake was assessed…
Summary This Indian study aimed to assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of vitamin K in patients with peripheral neuropathy (conditions that involve damage to nerves outside of the central nervous system). The study was conducted on 100 patients with peripheral neuropathy who suffered from vitamin B12 deficiency or type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients…
Summary Several studies have shown that magnesium intake decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes. In this Japanese study, the association between magnesium intake and the incidence of type 2 diabetes was examined. Almost 2000 subjects without diabetes, aged between 40 and 79 years, underwent a glucose test and were followed up for 15.6 years.…
Summary Diets and lifestyles in developed countries promote deficiencies of micronutrients, particularly vitamin C and D, and are associated with diabetes, for instance. This Australian review evaluated results from studies examining the potential of vitamin C and D in reversing defects in glucose regulation and preventing type 2 diabetes. Several studies suggest an association between…
Summary This study, executed by a research department in Tehran, Iran, aimed to determine if micronutrients can improve neuropathy indicators in type 2 diabetes. 75 patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned to one of the following three treatment groups: The first group received a combination of zinc (20 mg), magnesium (250 mg), vitamin C…
Summary Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study, executed by a research department in London, UK, determined the effect of a vitamin D and calcium replacement therapy on regulating glucose levels in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and low vitamin D levels. The…
Summary High blood sugar (glucose) levels are associated with diabetes and prediabetes. Prediabetes is when blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. This study, conducted by two Indian research departments, evaluated the effect of 12 months of vitamin D supplementation on glucose levels and the progression of prediabetes to…
Summary High blood glucose levels are associated with the development of diabetes, which is a common disease in Western societies. Researchers from Sweden and Germany examined whether a specific nutritional supplement containing various amino acids improves blood glucose levels in non-diabetic adults. To this end, 60 overweight healthy participants were administered with the mentioned supplement…
Summary An Iranian study aimed to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on the function of the metabolism, including glucose balance, inflammation levels, and oxidative stress in patients with diabetes type 2 and coronary heart disease. 60 patients were divided into two groups. For 8 weeks, the first group (30 patients) received 200 µg of…
Summary Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. Thus, this study investigated the anti-inflammatory capacity of vitamin C in obese patients. 64 obese participants with high blood pressure and/or diabetes and high levels of inflammatory markers were enrolled into either the experimental group (31 patients) or the control group (33 patients). The experimental group was treated…
Summary This study, executed by an Iranian and a Croatian university, aimed to analyze the effects of magnesium and zinc supplements on glucose levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes. In this study, 60 patients were divided into either a group receiving a placebo or a group…
Summary Researchers from Sri Lanka and Australia examined the effects of a specific micronutrient product containing lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, on pre-diabetes. 110 participants were recruited and divided into two groups: an intervention group (participants receiving the micronutrient product) and a placebo group. The results showed that the micronutrient supplement improved important parameters involved…
Summary Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids in the blood), as well as increased oxidative stress, which can cause a variety of diseases. Scientists at the Medical University of Łódź (Poland) explored the effect of vitamin D supplementation…
Summary This study by various U.S. research institutes aimed to find out whether vitamin D supplementation affects the risk of diabetes. The study included 2,158 participants with prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels that fall below the threshold to diagnose diabetes) who were assigned to either a vitamin D group (1,074 individuals) or a placebo group…
Summary Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh (USA) studied the effect of vitamin D supplementation in 225 obese children with vitamin D deficiency. The study participants received either 600 IU or 1000 IU or 2000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for 6 months. An improvement in blood pressure, fasting glucose concentration and insulin sensitivity was…
Summary A randomized clinical trial investigated the effect of vitamin C supplementation on blood glucose control and blood pressure in diabetic patients. After 4 months of vitamin C supplementation, participants showed an improvement in blood sugar levels and a reduction in blood pressure compared to the placebo group. Further details can be found in the…
Summary Diabetic patients can suffer from insulin resistance (the diminished ability of the body to respond to the action of insulin in decreasing blood sugars) and oxidative stress (imbalance between the production of free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses). This study investigated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on insulin resistance and oxidative…
Summary This study evaluated the effect of vitamins supplementation in diabetic people. The study on consumption of vitamins C, E and combination of C and E was completed in 170 patients with type 2 diabetes on consumption of vitamins C, E and combination of C and E. Blood pressure, blood sugar levels and oxidative stress…
Summary This study assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of diabetes. 130 men without diabetes and with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency were given vitamin D or no supplementation. The results showed that the men administered with vitamin D had maintained insulin levels (the action of insulin is important in decreasing blood sugars)…