The Effects of Zinc and Vitamin C Supplementation on the Glycemic Profile in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

     Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder and one of the highly progressive diseases which is indicated by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The present study aims to study the effects of treatment with zinc and vitamin C on glycemic profile [fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1C), and insulin hormone level] in type 2 diabetic patients. The study included 56 diabetic patients [30 without foot ulcers (15 without zinc and vitamin C supplements, 15 with zinc and vitamin C supplements) and 26 with foot ulcers (15 without zinc and vitamin C supplements, 11 with zinc and vitamin C supplements)]. Also, 15 healthy persons were used as a control group. The patients were enrolling to Azadi Teaching Hospital and Kirkuk General Hospital/ Kirkuk city/ Iraq; their ages ranged from 30 to 60 years and weights ranged from 70 to 90 kilogram. Blood samples were collected from the studied subjects to determine fasting blood sugar (FBS) concentration, glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1C) level, and insulin hormone level. Zinc and vitamin C supplements were used for four weeks by a group of the patients. The results showed highly significant (P≤0.01) decreases in the values of FBS, HbA_1C, and insulin in diabetic patients treated with supplements (both with and without foot ulcers) compared with diabetic patients without supplements (both with and without foot ulcers). It can be concluded that zinc and vitamin C supplements have improving impacts on patients with diabetes mellitus by improving glycemic profile parameters, such as FBS, HbA_1C, and insulin.