Nutrient Deficiencies: The Impact on type 2 Diabetes

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Briana Mercola

Health & Fitness, Health, Alternative Health

4.6 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Story at-a-glance

A study that analyzed 52,501 Type 2 diabetes patients found widespread nutrient deficiencies, with vitamin D being most common (60.45%), followed by magnesium (41.95%) and vitamin B12 (28.72%)
Vitamin D deficiency significantly impairs insulin function and sensitivity, while increasing the risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy, kidney disease and foot ulcers
Magnesium deficiency creates a vicious cycle among diabetics — low intake increases diabetes risk, while diabetes increases magnesium loss through urination, leading to poorer glycemic control
Metformin, the most prescribed diabetes medication, depletes vitamin B12 levels by interfering with B12 absorption, which can lead to nerve damage, numbness and fatigue
Geographic location influences deficiency rates, with the Americas showing the highest prevalence at 54.04% of diabetes patients having at least one micronutrient deficiency

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Dr. Mercola's Cellular Wisdom. Stay informed with quick, easy-to-listen
0:06.1	summaries of our latest articles, perfect for when you're on the go. No reading required.
0:10.8	Subscribe for free at Mercola.com for the latest health insights.
0:15.2	Hello and welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom. I'm Ethan Foster and today we're
0:19.9	discussing how nutrient deficiencies
0:21.9	affect type 2 diabetes. We'll look at vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin B12, and explore how these
0:28.6	nutrients shape insulin function and overall metabolic health. I'm joined by Ilar-Sky,
0:34.5	who's here to provide a clear, in-depth perspective on these issues. Thanks for joining
0:39.2	me, Alara. Thank you for having me, Ethan. It's a pleasure to be part of this conversation.
0:44.4	When we look at the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes, we often think about factors like
0:49.3	blood sugar control, diet and medication. What's sometimes overlooked is how vital micronutrients are in
0:56.1	managing this condition. Recent research highlights that deficiencies in nutrients like
1:00.7	vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin B12 can play a substantial role in making diabetes symptoms worse.
1:08.1	Exactly. One of the key findings comes from a meta-analysis published in BMJ nutrition, prevention
1:15.0	and health.
1:16.2	This study looked at data from 52,000 type 2 diabetes patients and identified which deficiencies
1:22.2	were most common.
1:23.6	The goal was to see how these deficiencies varied across populations, and how they affect
1:28.6	insulin function and disease progression.
1:31.8	According to the data, over 45% of participants had multiple micronutrient deficiencies.
1:38.0	The most frequent one was vitamin D, affecting more than 60% of those studied.
1:43.6	That 60% figure for vitamin D deficiency is particularly concerning.
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