{"id":709857,"date":"2026-04-07T00:47:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T00:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/709857\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T00:47:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T00:47:35","slug":"researchers-say-more-than-half-of-people-with-diabetes-are-deficient-in-these-key-nutrients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/709857\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers Say More Than Half of People With Diabetes Are Deficient in These Key Nutrients"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Reviewed by Dietitian Mandy Enright, M.S., RDN, RYT<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Credit: Photography \/ Jennifer Causey, Styling \/ Ali Ramee \/ Audrey Davis\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1242\" height=\"838\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1539dc3239d181755788dbb980220266.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Credit: Photography \/ Jennifer Causey, Styling \/ Ali Ramee \/ Audrey Davis<\/p>\n<p>Key Points<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li>\n<p>A study found that people with type 2 diabetes tend to be deficient in several micronutrients.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Vitamin D, vitamin B12 and magnesium were the most common deficiencies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Include a variety of foods every day to reduce the chances of deficiencies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and between 90% and 95% of them have type 2 diabetes. The good news is that most type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented, as some lifestyle behaviors contribute to developing the condition.\u00a0For example, studies have shown that <a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/mediterranean-diet-may-lower-type-005731755.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:diet plays a role in diabetes prevention;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">diet plays a role in diabetes prevention<\/a> and that diets high in added sugar, saturated fats, ultra-processed foods, sodium and excessive calories are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>Many studies and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/many-carbs-eat-per-day-180644076.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:guidelines on diabetes and diet;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">guidelines on diabetes and diet<\/a> focus primarily on macronutrients, like carbs, fats and protein. But researchers in India wanted to know if there was a link between micronutrients, which includes vitamins and minerals, and diabetes. In their systematic review and analysis, researchers found that many adults with diabetes are deficient in some vitamins and minerals, with vitamin D most common among them.<\/p>\n<p>How Was This Study Conducted?<\/p>\n<p>After searching for previously published studies on diabetes and micronutrients and weeding out the ones that didn\u2019t meet their criteria, researchers ended up with 132 studies with a total of 52,501 participants for this review and meta-analysis. Participants were men and women of multiple ethnicities at least 18 years old with type 2 diabetes, with or without complications.<\/p>\n<p>The studies included information on participants\u2019 micronutrient status\u2014including if they were deficient in specific vitamins and minerals based on their bloodwork. All the studies were published between 1998 and 2023 and were from many different countries, giving these researchers a global perspective.<\/p>\n<p>What Did This Study Find?<\/p>\n<p>There were several findings from this review and meta-analysis:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li>\n<p>Over 45% of the type 2 diabetes population had multiple micronutrient deficiencies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>40% of the participants with diabetic complications had micronutrient deficiencies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Women were more likely to be affected by micronutrient deficiencies than men<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Vitamin D deficiency was the most common deficiency, with a prevalence of over 60% among people with type 2 diabetes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Magnesium ranked second as the most common deficiency, with about 42% of people with type 2 diabetes deficient in magnesium<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>In a subgroup of people with diabetes taking metformin, a common diabetes medication, vitamin B12 deficiency was present in almost 29% of participants<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s where the chicken-and-egg scenario comes in. Researchers can\u2019t say whether the micronutrients may have played a role in these people developing diabetes, or if diabetes might have caused the micronutrient deficiencies. They can only conclude that there is some sort of correlation between type 2 diabetes and micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamins D and B12 and magnesium.<\/p>\n<p>How Does This Apply to Real Life?<\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t have to have diabetes to be deficient in any of these nutrients. All three\u2014vitamin D, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/6-sneaky-signs-youre-not-052916016.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:vitamin B12;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">vitamin B12<\/a> and magnesium\u2014are commonly deficient in the general population as well. There are estimates that about 25% of Americans are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/5-sneaky-signs-might-vitamin-200354347.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:vitamin D deficient;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">vitamin D deficient<\/a>, with an additional 40% having below-optimal blood levels of the sunshine vitamin. Between 3% and 43% of people in developed countries are deficient in vitamin B12, though vitamin B12 may have more to do with some bodies having trouble absorbing the vitamin, versus not eating enough foods with it. Plus, about half of us aren\u2019t getting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/2052607\/10-signs-youre-not-getting-enough-magnesium-and-what-to-do-about-it\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:enough magnesium;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">enough magnesium<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Because these deficiencies are common in both the general population and those with type 2 diabetes, one might hypothesize that the deficiency may have come first. Regardless, it\u2019s important to eat a balanced variety of foods to cover your nutrient needs, whether you have diabetes or not.<\/p>\n<p>Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, like meat, fish and dairy. Fortified cereals, plant-based milks and nutritional yeast are plant-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/5-foods-more-vitamin-b12-230000319.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:sources of vitamin B12;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">sources of vitamin B12<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Our bodies manufacture vitamin D from sunlight exposure, but many things can influence this process. For example, you need to expose enough of your body\u2014head, arms and legs\u2014which is difficult to do in colder months. A few <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/8034163\/benefits-vitamin-d\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:foods do contain vitamin D;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">foods do contain vitamin D<\/a>, though. Egg yolks, some mushrooms, cod liver oil, beef liver and fatty fish, like salmon, tuna and swordfish, all naturally contain vitamin D. You\u2019ll also find some foods fortified with it, including cow\u2019s milk, cheese, yogurt, soy milk, orange juice and cereal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/trying-eat-more-magnesium-dietitians-203234117.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Magnesium is also in a wide variety of foods;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Magnesium is also in a wide variety of foods<\/a>. Regularly eating nuts, seeds, nut and seed butters, soy, legumes, fruits and veggies can help ensure you\u2019re getting enough magnesium.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re a chocolate lover, you&#8217;ll be happy to know that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/8013599\/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-eat-chocolate-every-day\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:dark chocolate;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">dark chocolate<\/a> is a rich source of magnesium. Researchers have even connected regularly eating a small amount of dark chocolate\u2014but not milk or white chocolate\u2014to a <a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/good-news-dark-chocolate-lovers-210455826.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:lower risk of type 2 diabetes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">lower risk of type 2 diabetes<\/a>. While they hypothesized that dark chocolate\u2019s antioxidants may have offered protection, magnesium may have played a role, too. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/happens-body-eat-nuts-every-203613749.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Add nuts;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Add nuts<\/a> to your dark chocolate for another magnesium boost.<\/p>\n<p>If your diet is more centered on ultra-processed and high-added-sugar foods and beverages, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re not getting a sufficient amount of some of the micronutrients. But for many, completely overhauling your diet all at once is too overwhelming.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, pick one or two items you eat every day or almost every day and swap it with a whole food or something with less sugar, sodium or saturated fat. For example, if you drink soda every day, swap one of your daily sodas with water. If you need bubbles, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/article\/8052890\/sparkling-water-soda-water-club-soda-seltzer-water-mineral-water-tonic-whats-the-difference\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:sparkling water;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">sparkling water<\/a> will work, too. Add fruit slices or a splash of 100% fruit juice to your glass if you need more flavor. Once you\u2019ve made that one swap a habit, do more\u2014swap another soda\u2014and continue doing this until you\u2019ve said adios to your sugary drink habit.<\/p>\n<p>Or if you eat fast food several times a week, choose one of those meals to swap with a meal you\u2019ve prepared at home. If you\u2019re in the habit of reaching for something with a lot of added sugar or caffeine for your afternoon pick-me-up, try having something nourishing instead, like a handful of nuts and a piece of dark chocolate or a string cheese and a piece of fruit. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/much-water-drink-daily-diabetes-134400454.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:make sure you\u2019re hydrating;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">make sure you\u2019re hydrating<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Our Expert Take<\/p>\n<p>This study found that a high percentage of people with type 2 diabetes tend to be deficient in three micronutrients: vitamins D and B12 and magnesium. These are also commonly deficient nutrients in the general population. You are more likely to get the recommended daily intake of these micronutrients by eating a variety of foods.<\/p>\n<p>If you worry that you may be low in these nutrients, a <a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aol.com\/lifestyle\/im-dietitian-not-nutritionist-heres-174143275.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:registered dietitian;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">registered dietitian<\/a> can work with a primary care practitioner to help you with blood work to test your nutrient levels and develop individualized strategies for incorporating foods that are friendlier to your body and brain. And remember\u2014small steps now will lead to big changes in the long run.<\/p>\n<p>Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/diabetes-nutrient-deficiency-study-11931025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:EatingWell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">EatingWell<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Reviewed by Dietitian Mandy Enright, M.S., RDN, RYT Credit: Photography \/ Jennifer Causey, Styling \/ Ali Ramee \/&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":709858,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[11],"tags":[295688,3655,95475,210,295687,295689,24040,67,132,68,4075,33614],"class_list":["post-709857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-deficiencies","tag-diabetes","tag-diabetes-medication","tag-health","tag-micronutrient-deficiencies","tag-micronutrients","tag-type-2-diabetes","tag-united-states","tag-unitedstates","tag-us","tag-vitamin-b12","tag-vitamins-and-minerals"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116360671987512153","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=709857"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709857\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/709858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=709857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=709857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=709857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}