Minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium and manganese are important in particular. Both manganese and magnesium, for example, are involved in glucose metabolism. Zinc is a mineral that is notoriously deficient in the elderly. And zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism, as well as protecting the cells of the pancreas. Diabetics should take at least 30 mg of zinc per day.
Flavonoids are important to diabetics.
We spoke about quercetin last week, when Richard Conant was our guest. Well, flavonoids such as quercetin have been shown to promote insulin secretion and and they are powerful inhibitors of sorbitol accumulation. We didn t discuss this during the first segment, but one of the problems that result from diabetes is an accumulation of sorbitol in certain tissues. Flavonoids, as a group, increase vitamin C within cells, decrease leakiness and breakage of small blood vessels, and improve immune response. Many of the botanical or herbal remedies for diabetes are rich in flavonoids, and this may be part of the reason why.