Both high levels of toxic heavy metals and low levels of essential minerals have been linked to the accelerated development and progression of type-2 diabetes and its related complications.

Chromium is a trace mineral that may aid in weight loss and improve glycemic regulation. Chromium acts as a powerful blood sugar modulator that can help guard against glucose imbalances. It tends to lower glucose response in individuals with elevated levels and heighten glucose response in those with insufficient levels.1 Chromium exerts beneficial metabolic effects by increasing insulin's ability to bind to cells and by modulating the activity of enzymes that affect insulin sensitivity.

However, chromium supplementation appears to produce a positive effect on glucose and insulin metabolism only in people with pre-existing deficiencies. "Chromium is a nutrient and not a drug, and it will therefore benefit only those who are deficient or marginally deficient in chromium," points out Dr. David Anderson, F.A.C.N., in a recent article in the Journal of American College of Nutrition. This underscores the importance of testing to establish the clinical need for supplementation.Body stores of chromium can be significantly depleted by dietary imbalances (including the overconsumption of sugar) and by stress, and deficiencies are believed to fairly widespread among the general population.2 Chromium can also be a difficult mineral for the body to properly absorb. Insufficient dietary chromium is linked with various risk factors for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Besides chromium, other nutrient elements that have been cited for their potentially important role in glycemic regulation and insulin sensitivity include zinc, potassium, magnesium, selenium, and vanadium.3

Magnesium and potassium deficiencies are often found in patients with diabetes, and may impair cardiac function and carbohydrate metabolism. Low levels of serum magnesium have been cited as a strong, independent predictor of type-2 diabetes in white subjects.4 Some researchers have even proposed that safeguarding against magnesium and potassium shortages "can ameliorate or prevent" cardiovascular complications in diabetes.5

Zinc deficiencies in diabetics are associated with excess free radical activity, and the increased oxidation of fats (lipids).6 When fats become oxidized, they are believed to become more reactive and damaging to the heart, arteries, and other integral parts of the vascular system. Zinc also plays an important role in the synthesis, storage, secretion, and structural integrity of insulin. Lower levels may affect the ability of the islet cells of the pancreas to produce and secrete insulin, particularly in type-2 diabetes.7

Evidence suggests that the trace element vanadium has strong clinical potential for improving glucose and insulin regulation in diabetics.8,9 However, its clinical effectiveness appears to depend upon how well it is absorbed into the body (and systemic circulation) from the gastrointestine.9 This again suggests the importance of testing to establish clinical need.

In one study, hair element testing revealed significant imbalances of copper and zinc in healthy individuals with a family history of type-2 diabetes or hypertension, compared to controls with no family history of these conditions.10 Besides nutrient imbalances, exposure to toxic heavy metals can also increase the risk of developing type-2 diabetes and related complications.

In general, higher levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, are associated with increased oxidative stress and higher risk of degenerative complications such as heart disease. Studies show that individuals who are exposed to higher amounts of arsenic - in their soil and/or drinking water - have a higher independent risk of developing type-2 diabetes.11,12

Cadmium, a heavy metal contaminant found in air, soil, and water, can accumulate in the body with chronic exposure. Such accumulations increase the likelihood of kidney damage/ failure, spur free radical activity, and exacerbate neuromuscular complications of type-2 diabetes.13-17

References:

1 Anderson RA. Chromium, glucose intolerance, and diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;17(6):548-55.

2 Anderson RA. Recent advances in the clinical and biochemical effects of chromium deficiency. Prog Clin Biol Res 1993;380:221-34.

3 Kelly GS. Insulin resistance: lifestyle and nutritional interventions. Altern Med Rev 2000 Apr;5(2):109-32.

4 Kao WH, Folsom AR, Nieto FJ, Mo JP, Watson RL, Brancati FL. Serum and dietary magnesium and the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Arch Intern Med 1999 Oct 11;159(18):2151-9.

5 Whang R, Sims G. Magnesium and potassium supplementation in the prevention of diabetic vascular disease. Med Hypotheses 2000 Sep;55(3):263-5.

6 DiSilvestro RA. Zinc in relation to diabetes and oxidative disease. J Nutr 2000 May;130(5S Suppl):1509S-11S.

7 Chausmer AB. Zinc, insulin and diabetes. J Am Coll Nutr 1998 Apr;17(2):109-15.

8 Thompson KH. Vanadium and diabetes. Biofactors 1999;10(1):43-51.

9 Badmaev V, Prakash S, Majeed M. Vanadium: a review of its potential role in the fight against diabetes. Altern Complement Med 1999 Jun;5(3):273-91.

10 Taneja SK, Mahajan M, Gupta S, Singh KP. Assessment of copper and zinc status in hair and urine of young women descendants of NIDDM parents. Biol Trace Elem Res 1998 Jun;62(3):255-64.

11 Tseng CH, Tai TY, Chong CK, Tseng CP, Lai MS, Lin BJ, Chiou HY, Hsueh YM, Hsu KH. Long-term arsenic exposure and incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a cohort study in arseniasis-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan.Environ Health Perspect 2000 Sep;108(9):847-51.

12 Rahman M, Tondel M, Ahmad SA, Axelson O.Diabetes mellitus associated with arsenic exposure in Bangladesh. Am J Epidemiol 1998;148[2]:198-203.

13 Satarug S, Haswell-Elkins MR, Moore MR. Safe levels of cadmium intake to prevent renal toxicity in human subjects. Br J Nutr 2000 Dec;84(6):791-802.

14 Fahim MA, Hasan MY, Alshuaib WB. Cadmium modulates diabetes-induced alterations in murine neuromuscular junction. Endocr Res 2000 May;26(2):205-17.

15 Jin T, Nordberg G, Sehlin J, Wallin H, Sandberg S. The susceptibility to nephrotoxicity of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats subchronically exposed to cadmium chloride in drinking water. Toxicology 1999 Dec 20;142(1):69-75.

16 Gumuslu S, Yargicoglu P, Agar A, Edremitlioglu M, Aliciguzel Y. Effect of cadmium on antioxidant status in alloxane-induced diabetic rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 1997 May;57(2):105-14.