Tiny Nutrients Sensitize Insulin Hormone

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Type 2 diabetes does not strike you overnight. It's not because of that glass of rose syrup you drank last night. Neither is it due to that tub of ice cream you ate last week. Instead, type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive metabolic disorder that is the result of poor food choices over a period of time. It can be years before the onset of the disease.

Before diabetes sets in, a condition known as insulin resistance affects the body's muscle, fat and liver cells. At normal times, insulin, via receptors on cells, signals these cells to take up glucose from the levels in blood rise. Glucose is the 'fuel' for cells to perform out various functions. When resistance sets in, however, the aforementioned receptors no longer respond efficiently to the insulin's signals and are not able to utilize glucose properly.

The resulting high blood glucose level continues to signal the pancreas to release more insulin into the bloodstream, while the liver produces excessive glucose in response to the energy-starved cells. As a result, many people with insulin resistance have high levels of blood glucose and insulin circulating simultaneously in the bloodstream.

Eventually, these compensation mechanisms fail to work -  the pressure pancreas is no longer capable of producing adequate insulin levels after a meal and diabetes sets in. One of the ways to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes mellitus is to half or reverse resistance and to increase insulin sensitivity of cells. Certain minerals and nutrients are known to aid insulin sensitivity.

Here are four minerals that can keep this disorder at bay.

1. Magnesium
Magnesium is a very important trace mineral for cellular metabolism. It is the second most most abundant cation (positively charged ion) found in cells, primarily those of bone and muscle tissue, with trace amounts in extra-cellular fluid. It participates in over 300 metabolic reactions, including glucose metabolism and cardiac activity. Beside that, it also helps maintain normal level of calcium and potassium in the cells. Based on his study, Dr Junji Takaya, of Kansai Medical University in Japan, has concluded that cellular magnesium contributes to glucose utilization and insulin signaling which, if altered, may results in insulin resistance.

Many other studies have also shown a deficiency of magnesium in diabetes mellitus as well as in several other disorder like cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia  Dietary magnesium is absorbed and assimilated by our small intestines. Excess magnesium - not used by our body is filtered by our kidneys and discarded as waste urine.

We can obtain magnesium from dark green, leafly vegetables, whole-grains and legumes. Depleted magnesium levels in the body can be easily replenished with an increased intake of this group of foods. However, diet alone cannot help a person with a very low level of magnesium. For serious cases, doctors may prescribe intravenous magnesium replacement or oral magnesium supplements.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for American adult males and females is 420mg/day and 320mg/day, respectively. for example, half a cup of cooked spinach has 75mg of magnesium. Sadly, magnesium is not listed on the Malaysian recommended nutrient intake.

2. Chromium
Chromium is popular in the West as a nutritional supplement for weight loss, mood enhancement and energy augmentation. It helps boost the metabolism of glucose, protein and blood lipid. This nutrient is one of the many essential minerals studied as supplements for diabetic patients. There is growing evidence that chromium regulates insulin action, so much so that scientist now believe that chromium can help maintain insulin sensitivity.

Chromium helps to maximize insulin in receptor cells. It helps insulin hormones bind to cells and this increases glucose utilization. This results in a lesser demand for insulin and the pancreas is no longer pressured after a meal. According to Dr Richard Anderson, chromium increases insulin binding to cells, the number of insulin receptors and activates insulin receptor kinase. These modes of action lead to increased insulin sensitivity, which is critical in the management of diabetes.

Chromium is widespread in the food chain. It is present in almost all food types: meat, whole-grains, fruits, vegetables and spices but in relatively small amounts. Although easily available, this mineral is poorly absorbed by the intestines - less than 0.4-2.5% of the amount consumed! Nevertheless, absorption is increased by co-factors like vitamin C and B3 (niacin). Chromium is stored in the liver, spleen, soft tissues and bone. However, a diet that is too high in simple sugars can deplete the chromium store in our body as sugar increases chromium excretion through kidney filtrations.

You can also buy chromium supplements and there are many types available: chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate, high-chromium yeast and chromium citrate. In his paper, Dr. Michael Hummel, of the Diabetes Research Institute and Academicals Hospital in Germany, suggested taking 200mcg chromium picolinate as a daily supplement.

3. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid also known as thiotic acid, lipoic acid, lipolate and dihydrolipoic aacid has been prescribed by German doctors to treat diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage due to complication of the disease, since 1959. In the Sydney trial conducted in 2003, 60 patients with stage 2 diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (a form of diabetes-related nerve damage) experienced significant improvement in sensory symptoms after 14 treatments of intravenous alpha-lipoic acid infusion over three weeks.

When compared with the placebo group, the treatment group taking alpha-lipoic acid had significantly decreased symptoms of stabbing pain, deep aching, burning, prickling, asleep-numbness and excessive tenderness to contact or pressure. The researchers found that this potent antioxidant improves nerve pathophysiology, thus delaying or preventing nerve fiber degeneration.

Dr. Peter Dyck, of the Mayo Clinic, explains: " If nerve fibers partially degenerate, you get pain and prickling and other symptoms."

Alpha-lipoic acid is such a powerful antioxidant that it can also help rejuvenate other antioxidants in our body to mop up free radicals. "High glucose in diabetes leaves trace chemicals harmful to cells - the process is called oxidative stress. If you burn something in the oven, it leaves soot. Similarly, in disease, there is 'soot', and there are mechanism that relieve 'soot'. Antioxidants promote of the removal of oxidative stress products," says Dr Dyck.

Studies indicate that alpha-lipoic acid at a dose of 600mg/day - oral supplementation or intravenous is beneficial for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends 200-400mg/day for generally healthy people. This micronutrient is widely available from animals and plant sources. It is especially abundant in beef, kidney, heart, liver, spinach, broccoli and Brewer's yeast. And, of course, the are supplements available in capsules.

4. Vanadium
Vanadium, a metal, is famed for its application as a component in steel making since its discovery in the early 19th century. But little was known about its role in human nutrition until recent studies suggested it may benefit diabetic patients. Numerous animal studies suggested potential in mimicking insulin and normalizing elevated blood sugar levels. A particular vanadium compound, vanadium sulphate, has received great interest as it has been shown to be able to lower insulin requirements by up to 75%.

Short-term clinical trials conducted on diabetic patients produced similar results and vanadium supplementation looks promising. Researchers at the Montreal Diabetes Research Center have been able to demonstrate vanadium's role in the initiation of different biochemical pathways. Currently, they are attempting to better understand how vanadium compouns work in relation to insulin sensitive tissues.

We can get about 15-30mcg of vanadium from our daily diet, especially from shellfish, whole-grains, mushrooms and spices. Certain groundwater contains a high concentration of vanadium, such as that found at Mount Fuji - 150ppb compared to less than 3ppb elsewhere. Some manufacturers market vanadium supplements in the form of drinking water. Other sell is as crystallized powder or in liquid or tablet forms.

However, you must be careful in opting for this form of supplementation, as safety levels for human consumption has yet to be established. Although studies have shown that these nutrients can help delay the onset of diabetes mellitus by increasing insulin sensitivity or preventing further complications like diabetic neuropathy, it is best to be prudent when deciding to opt for supplements.

The golden rule is to be moderate in our diet and adopt an exercise regime. This will definitely improve your insulin sensitivity!

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