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Zinc intake and the risk of type II diabetes in women Fall 2009, Vol 5, Issue 17 -- Download the PDF 
In this featured study
researchers sought to
advance our understanding
of the relationship
between zinc and insulin
activity, a domain of
study dating back to the
1930s when zinc was
first discovered to be a
key component of the
insulin crystalline structure.
While numerous animal
studies have documented
several beneficial effects of
zinc on various insulinrelated
mechanisms,
researchers note few
studies currently exist
examining the potentially
protective effects of zinc
intake and the risk of type
II diabetes (T2D) in
humans. Researchers
note a study documenting
beneficial effects of
zinc supplementation on
insulin sensitivity in Brazilian women, and another correlating
higher dietary zinc intake and lower incidence of
diabetes and metabolic syndrome in an Indian population.
However, Sun et al are the first to examine the
potential association of zinc intake and the reduced risk
of T2D in a prospective study. They did so by differentiating
between zinc intake from supplements and food
sources, as well as by examining potential interactions of
iron intake and zinc as it might relate to the risk of T2D.
Sun et al repeatedly analyzed data available from the ongoing Nurse’s Health Study, a large prospective cohort of registered female nurses in the US which commenced in 1972. For their analysis, researchers used 1980 as their baseline as that is when the food frequency questionnaire was administered. Their analysis included data for 82,927 nurses (ages 33-60 at baseline) who were followed up to 2004. All potential participants with major chronic diseases at baseline were excluded, as the study's core focus was on zinc and type II diabetes risk in healthy populations. Sun et al used Cox regression models to assess the relative risks (RR) of zinc intake in relation to T2D. Multiple variables were adjusted for in their analysis, including age, BMI, family history of diabetes, multivitamin use, physical activity, intake of red meats, heme iron and several other factors. Over the 24-year period analyzed, Sun et all identified 6030 incidences of T2D. After adjusting for numerous established and potential confounders, researchers observed a "modest," yet statistically significant reduction of T2D risk with total zinc intake. Likewise, an inverse association was observed between a higher zinc/heme iron ratio and T2D risk. In their commentary, researchers observed that among individuals with higher dietary zinc intake, the inclusion of zinc supplements may do little to reduce T2D risk. However, among individuals with low dietary zinc intake, a statistically significant T2D risk reduction was observed among those who derived zinc from supplements. Taken together with the zinc/heme iron ratio data, Sun et al assert that these findings suggest that a diet with high zinc to high heme iron ratio is statistically significant in reducing type II diabetes risk in women. Study: Electronic version, by Sun, Qi et al, Diabetes Care, http://care.diabetesjournals.org RETURN HOME from zinc and type-ii-diabetes risk |
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