Nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes have multiple micronutrient deficiencies—the most common being vitamin D. Digest
Micronutrient deficiencies contribute to insulin resistance, a key driver of type 2 diabetes, but researchers still don’t fully understand their role in the disease’s progression. A recent study found that nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies, with vitamin D being the most prevalent.
Researchers analyzed data from studies investigating links between micronutrient deficiencies and type 2 diabetes. Their analysis included 132 studies and more than 52,000 participants.
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They found that 45% of people with type 2 diabetes had multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Women with the disease were more likely to have deficiencies, with 48% affected compared to 41% of men. Vitamin D deficiency was the most common, affecting 60% of participants, followed by magnesium (42%) and vitamin B12 (28%)—the latter being especially prevalent among people with type 2 diabetes who were taking metformin. The prevalence of deficiencies also varied by region.
These findings suggest that micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in people with type 2 diabetes, particularly among women. Check out our many resources on micronutrients, including vitamin D and magnesium, and the long-term health consequences of deficiencies.