When most people think about minerals and diabetes the first thing that comes to mind is the trace element chromium. It’s a reasonable association since chromium has been used extensively to help manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetics for decades. But there are other minerals that are often lacking in diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals. If these deficiencies are addressed, it may reduce the damage that poor blood glucose control can bring about. Read more »

The purpose of specific nutrients is often thought about in highly generalized terms. Some examples of this can be found in the realms of both vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 helps to give us extra energy. Vitamin A (and beta carotene) are important for ocular (eye) health. Zinc is the mineral to take when we feel a cold coming on. Then there’s calcium. It’s the “bone mineral”. There’s truth in all of these generalizations. But nutrients always have multiple and diverse functions. Read more »