A new study has found that micronutrient deficiency—low levels of essential vitamins and minerals—is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The research, published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, shows that a lack of vitamin D is the most common deficiency, with women being more affected than men.
What Causes Micronutrient Deficiency in Diabetes?
Several factors increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, including genetics, diet, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Previous studies suggest that vitamins and minerals play a role in blood sugar control by affecting glucose metabolism and insulin function.
To understand how widespread these deficiencies are, researchers analyzed 132 studies involving 52,501 people from different countries, published between 1998 and 2023. Most of these studies were conducted in hospitals.
Key Findings
The analysis found that 40–45% of people with diabetes who had complications also had a micronutrient deficiency. The most common deficiencies were:
- Vitamin D – 60.5% of people with type 2 diabetes had very low levels.
- Magnesium – 42% had a deficiency.
- Iron – 28% lacked enough iron.
- Vitamin B12 – 29% had low levels, and the number was even higher among those taking metformin (a common diabetes medication).
Women with diabetes were more likely to have deficiencies than men (49% of women vs. fewer men), and people in the Americas had the highest rates (54%).
Why Does This Matter?
The study highlights that poor nutrition can exist alongside diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes. However, because most of the studies were short-term, researchers couldn’t determine whether the vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused poor blood sugar control or were a result of diabetes.
Shane McAuliffe, a nutrition expert, says that diabetes treatment often focuses on managing calories and macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats), but micronutrients should also be a priority. Ensuring people with diabetes get adequate vitamins and minerals may improve their health and help prevent complications.
Next Steps
The study suggests that future research should explore the connection between diabetes and micronutrient deficiency more deeply. It also calls for better public health policies to ensure that people with diabetes receive the nutrients they need through targeted diet plans and possible supplementation.
This research is a reminder that nutrition isn’t just about managing blood sugar—it’s about overall health.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
The research findings can be found in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
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