Trace mineral status and glycaemic control in Nigerians with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes has been shown to be associated with abnormalities in the metabolism of micronutrients, especially chromium, zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese. People with type 2 diabetes attending the Diabetes Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, were recruited to examine the relationship between trace mineral status and glycaemic control. A total of 120 persons were studied, mean (±SD) age was 54±7 years and mean duration of diabetes 4±4 years. Serum chromium level correlated inversely with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c, unlike the serum concentration of zinc which had no significant correlation with either FBG or HbA1c. People with diabetes should be encouraged to eat local specific foods rich in chromium