Micronutrient status in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, which can alter the nutritional status of the individual. Some micronutrients, in particular zinc and chromium, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of carbohydrate intolerance. This review evaluates the available published data on the status of 10 mineral elements and seven vitamins in diabetic patients and experimental animal models of diabetes. The role of these micronutrients in insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism is discussed in an attempt to determine whether the reported alterations in serum or tissue content of minerals or vitamins contribute to the carbohydrate intolerance of diabetic patients. It is concluded that both Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus can result in changes in certain micronutrients. However, adequately controlled studies to establish the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus are not available.