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Micronutrient Deficiency Affects 45% of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Worldwide

by Swethapriya Sampath on Jan 29 2025 11:08 AM
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Micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin D, are prevalent in type 2 diabetes patients, impacting 45% globally.

Micronutrient Deficiency Affects 45% of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Worldwide
Micronutrient deficiency is when the levels of vitamins and minerals essential for biological function are too low and it is common in people with type 2 diabetes (1 Trusted Source
Potential micronutrient deficiency lacks recognition in diabetes

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The study was conducted by analyzing the data with the available evidence and published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. The study finds vitamin D as the most common ‘missing’ micronutrient and women are at greater risk than men.


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Micronutrient Deficiency and Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Genetic predisposition, various environmental factors, a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, and obesity are risk factors for the disease. Previously published research suggests that micronutrients have a key role in the development of type 2 diabetes, by potentially affecting glucose metabolism and insulin signaling pathways.

In a bid to try and quantify the global prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in people with the condition, the researchers scoured research databases for relevant studies, to pool the data. Their analysis included 132 studies, involving 52,501 participants, and published in several languages between 1998 and 2023. Except for 3 studies, the rest were hospital-based.

The pooled data analysis showed that the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency (vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes) among people with type 2 diabetes varied around the world, possibly because of diverse dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and cultural practices, suggest the researchers. But, overall, the global prevalence was 45% and 40% in those with complications of their disease.


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Common Micronutrient Deficiencies in Type 2 Diabetes

A very low level of vitamin D was the most common micronutrient deficiency, affecting 60.5% of those with type 2 diabetes. But magnesium deficiency was also common, affecting 42%, while the prevalence of iron deficiency was 28%. The global prevalence of B12 deficiency was 29%, and higher, still, among patients taking metformin.

Further stratification of the pooled data showed that prevalence was higher in women with the condition than in men at nearly 49%, and highest among patients in the Americas (54%). Most of the included studies were cross-sectional, making it difficult to establish causality, nor was it clear whether the micronutrient deficiency preceded poor glycaemic control or was a consequence of it, caution the researchers.

And as no valid population-based studies are looking at micronutrient deficiency, it’s impossible to draw comparisons between patients with type 2 diabetes and the general population, they add.


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Impact on Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

“This systematic review exemplifies the double burden of malnutrition in action, whereby nutritional deficiencies and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, co-exist,” comments Shane McAuliffe, Visiting Senior Academic Associate, NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns the journal.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes often tends to focus on energy metabolism and macronutrients, but the identification of a higher prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies in those affected is a reminder that optimizing overall nutrition should always be a priority.

“The findings should help to focus research and policy initiatives aimed at furthering our understanding of the causes and effects of these deficiencies and the potential for targeted and tailored interventions.”

Reference:
  1. Potential micronutrient deficiency lacks recognition in diabetes - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2032692/)


Source-Eurekalert


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