It’s no secret that a healthy diet is key not only to preventing type 2 diabetes but also to managing the condition to avoid long-term complications.

However, a new study is revealing that people with diabetes, by and large, suffer from deficiencies in micronutrients that could leave their bodies suffering from a “hidden hunger.”

Here’s what the researchers discovered, along with the number one micronutrient they say affects six in 10 people with diabetes…

Micronutrient deficiencies add up to type 2

For their research, scientists delved into data gathered from 132 separate studies to analyze the rate of micronutrient deficiencies in more than 52,000 people living with type 2 diabetes.

The team set out to determine if a lack of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes had any bearing on the development of the disease.

However, the researchers unearthed findings that surpassed their expectations, shedding light on the significant prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among people with type 2 diabetes…

 “(This result) indicates that every second person with type 2 diabetes has one or the other micronutrient deficiency,” explains study author Daya Krishan Mangal, MD. “These micronutrients are essential at the cellular level and in glucose metabolism.”

That equates to deficiencies in 45% of people with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the research determined that these deficiencies were significantly more common in women than men.

The primary players

According to the researchers, of all the micronutrient deficiencies they discovered, vitamin D was hands-down the most common, with 60.5% of people with diabetes lacking the vital nutrient.

“Vitamin D deficiency is the most common deficiency found among diabetic patients,” said Mangal. “Vitamin D plays a role in insulin production and utilization at cellular levels.”

This isn’t surprising since previous studies have found that people who take vitamin D can slash their risk of diabetes by 66 to 80%.

In addition to the sunshine vitamin, the researchers found that people with diabetes were also highly likely to experience deficiencies in:

• Magnesium (lacking in 42% of study participants)
• Vitamin B12 (low in 29% of the participants)
• Iron (28% of participants showed deficiency)

When asked to sum up the importance of the study, Dr. Mangal pointed to the fact that “Addressing these deficiencies could improve glycemic control, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance overall health outcomes.”

Boosting micronutrients

Whether you’re already living with type 2 diabetes, are on the edge of insulin resistance or just need an ounce of prevention, ensuring your micronutrient levels is a must.

In fact, the micronutrient deficiencies discussed here are among the top 10 most of us under-consume.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by eating a healthy, well-rounded diet with plenty of whole foods packed with vitamins and minerals.

To boost vitamin D levels, go for fatty fish like salmon and tuna and beef liver, cheese and eggs. And don’t forget to spend time in the sun. Spend 10-15 minutes every day outdoors at noon with a good amount of skin exposed to encourage your body’s natural vitamin D production. But if you burn easily or have concerns about skin cancer, take a supplement.

Grab more magnesium in your diet by going nutty — particularly by eating this one nut, rich in the mineral, plus an essential vitamin that’s under-consumed in the American diet.

Iron can be found in meats, including fish, poultry and seafood, as well as quinoa, spinach, nuts and seeds and unsweetened cocoa.

Sources:

Burden of micronutrient deficiency among patients with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis — BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health

‘Hidden hunger’ with diabetes: Deficiency in these vitamins, minerals may be culprit — Medical News Today