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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Social Health and Diabetes 2017; 05(02): 83-87
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676241
Review Article
NovoNordisk Education Foundation

Role of zinc in insulin regulation and diabetes

Resham Raj Poudel
Department of Internal Medicine, Western Reserve Health Education, Youngstown, OH, USA
,
Yuvaraj Bhusal
1   Department of Internal Medicine, BPK Institute of Health Science, Dharan, Nepal
,
Biswaraj Tharu
2   Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
,
Nisha Kusum Kafle
3   Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 24 April 2017

Accepted: 02 May 2017

Publication Date:
23 November 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Zinc (Zn) affects glucose metabolism through insulin regulation and has potential implication in diabetes. Zn deficiency has not been proven in diabetes; however, observations of hyperzincuria, hypozincemia, and Zn malabsorption in diabetes indicate additional requirements for Zn. Mutation in Zn transporter 8 – a key protein in insulin secretion – has been associated with Type 2 diabetes. Zn supplementation in prediabetics and diabetics has been supported to improve plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipids and potentially improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress, and protect from renal damage.

Diabetes - hyperzincuria - hypozincemia - insulin - zinc
 

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