Trio of Nutrients May Help Combat Type 2 Diabetes

Take Positive Steps to Counter Type 2

When it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes – or controlling blood sugar in those who already have it – the factors with the biggest punch by far are pretty straight forward: lose weight if you need to, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy Mediterranean or low glycemic index diet.

In addition, researchers continue to explore the contribution of individual nutrients in combating type 2. This issue of Staying Healthy highlights recent findings related to omega-3 fats, magnesium and cinnamon.

New Understanding of Omega-3 Benefits

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) already recommends that people with diabetes eat 2-3 servings of fish weekly. That’s because studies have shown that consuming more omega-3s can help stave off coronary heart disease in diabetics, who have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular conditions than non-diabetics.

New research also points to a potential role for the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in helping to activate anti-diabetic genes (1). The study, carried out in animals, found that these omega-3 fatty acids activate genes that help regulate fat cells and maintain blood sugar balance. The factor activated by the omega-3s (transcription factor PPARy) is one that’s targeted by a number of anti-diabetic drugs. If the findings hold true in humans, it may mean additional benefits for those meeting ADA guidelines for omega-3 intake.

Study Underscores Importance of Magnesium

Low blood levels of magnesium occur in about 25-30% of people with type 2, and are more common in those with poorly controlled diabetes. Many studies have also reported that a better intake of this mineral can lower the risk of developing type 2. Results from a long term study appear to confirm that association (2).

Led by investigators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the study recruited nearly 4,500 young adults 18-30 years of age who were free of diabetes and assessed their intake of dietary magnesium. Three hundred and thirty cases of diabetes developed over the next 20 years of follow-up.

People with the highest magnesium intake were 47% less likely to acquire type 2 compared to those eating the least. Those getting the most averaged about 200 mg of magnesium for every 1,000 calories consumed compared with the lowest intake group who got about 100 mg of the mineral per 1,000 calories.

High magnesium consumers also had lower blood levels of inflammatory markers, and less insulin resistance (the inability of some cells to respond to insulin). One of magnesium’s jobs is to help insulin move glucose out of the blood stream and into cells.

As mentioned in the March Staying Healthy, a recently published survey found that less than ½ of US adults consume recommended magnesium levels. Dietary sources include beans, whole grains, broccoli, squash, and green leafy veggies, seeds, and nuts (especially almonds). Dairy, meats, chocolate, and coffee also provide magnesium, as does "hard" water.

Cinnamon Useful for Some Diabetics

From the UK comes a study suggesting that cinnamon may be useful in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (3). Fifty eight type-2 patients with high HbA1c (a key measure of glucose control) were given 2 grams of cinnamon or placebo daily for 3 months. Compared to placebo-takers, those supplemented with cinnamon experienced a significant reduction in HbA1c as well as a decrease in blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic values).

According to the researchers, this spice could be a useful addition to conventional drugs for diabetics who have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels.

References

1. 1. Yu, YH et al. The function of PPARy and dietary fish oil effect on the expression of lipid and glucose metabolism related genes. J Nutr Biochem (Epub ahead of print) Oct, 2010.
2. 2. Kim DJ et al. Magnesium intake in relation to systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and the incidence of diabetes. Diabetes Care (Epub ahead of print ) Aug, 2010.
3. 3. Akilen R et al. Glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Diabetes Med 27:1159-67, 2010.