Increased intakes of zinc may decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes by 28% according to a recent study from Harvard.
Zinc, one of the most important trace elements in the body, mediates many physiological functions. It is believed to be essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, recent science suggests the mineral could also influence memory, muscle strength and endurance in adults.
The Harvard study involved 82,297 Women aged 33 to 60 taking part in the Nurses’ Health Study over the course of 24 years. Further evaluation by the researchers took into account other potential factors and found that increasing intakes of the mineral were associated with a reduction of type 2 diabetes of up to 28%.
In the US alone, there are over 20 million people are affected by diabetes, equal to seven percent of the population. The total costs are thought to be as much as 132 Billion dollars with 92 Billion being direct costs from medication, according to the American Diabetes Association figures from 2002.
