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Evidence summaries

Zinc Supplementation for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Zinc supplementation may not be effective in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included one study with a total of 56 normal glucose tolerant obese women (aged 25 to 45 years, body mass index 36.2 ± 2.3 kg/m2 ). Follow-up was four weeks. The outcomes measured were decrease of insulin resistance, anthropometric and diet parameters, leptin and insulin concentration, zinc concentration in the plasma and urine, lipid metabolism and fasting plasma glucose. There were no statistically significant differences favouring participants receiving zinc supplementation compared to placebo concerning any outcome measured by the study.

Comment: The quality of evidence was downgraded by sparse data and limitations in study quality, including short follow-up.

    References

    • Beletate V, El Dib RP, Atallah AN. Zinc supplementation for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD005525. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords